Mykito Chitosan Characteristics
The molecular weight (MW) and degree of deacetylation (DDA) significantly influence the properties and functionalities of chitosan. Here’s how they impact its characteristics:
Solubility
- Molecular Weight: Lower molecular weight chitosan tends to dissolve more easily in water or acidic solutions, while higher molecular weight forms may require more effort to solubilize.
- Degree of Deacetylation: A higher DDA increases the presence of free amino groups (-NH₂), which enhances solubility at lower pH levels.
Mechanical Strength
- Molecular Weight: High molecular weight chitosan generally offers better mechanical properties, making it suitable for applications requiring structural integrity (e.g., scaffolds for tissue engineering).
- DDA: A high DDA can improve mechanical strength due to increased intermolecular hydrogen bonding.
Biological Activity
- Molecular Weight: Lower molecular weight chitosan is often associated with enhanced antimicrobial activity and better absorption in biological systems.
- DDA: Higher DDA increases bioactivity, particularly in wound healing, antimicrobial properties, and drug delivery applications.
Viscosity
- Molecular Weight: Chitosan with a higher MW exhibits greater viscosity, making it useful in applications like thickeners or stabilizers.
- Degree of Deacetylation: The DDA doesn't directly impact viscosity but can influence other properties (e.g., solubility) that interact with viscosity.
Film-Forming and Barrier Properties
- Molecular Weight: Higher molecular weight leads to better film-forming ability and improved barrier properties, making it ideal for packaging materials.
- DDA: High DDA enhances these properties through increased bonding and cohesion among polymer chains.
Applications
- Lower MW, High DDA: Suitable for drug delivery, biomedical applications, and antimicrobial coatings.
- Higher MW, Moderate/High DDA: Better for structural materials, water treatment, or agriculture.
These factors are interdependent, so the choice of MW and DDA must align with the intended application. Let me know if you’d like details about any specific use case!
Quality Control
We do a Certificate of Analysis for Every Batch. This is a typical C of A for the Mykito Chitosan
- Our Quality Control team produces a Certificate of Analysis (COA) for every batch manufactured
- Our production team follows strict and repeatable Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) to ensure the highest quality and consistency.
- A quality unit, separate from manufacturing, tests, certifies, and releases each batch similar to the manufacture of pharmaceutical products.
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