Chitosan
1. Chemical Name:Chitosan
Synonyms: Deacetylated chitin, Poly(D-glucosamine)
2.Abbreviation:CS (commonly used in scientific literature)
3.CAS No.:9012-76-4
4.INCI Name:Chitosan
As an INCI-listed ingredient, chitosan functions as an Anti-Static Agent, Emulsifier, Film Former, Preservative, and Stabilizer in cosmetic and personal care products.
5.Molecular Formula[C6H11NO4]n
The monomeric unit has the formula C6H11NO4(molecular weight: 161.16). Chitosan is a linear polysaccharide composed of two types of sugar units - D-glucosamine and N-acetyl-D-glucosamine - linked together by β-(1→4) bonds.
6. EINECS No.
There are two EINECS numbers reported for chitosan depending on the specific grade or source:
| EINECS No. |
Notes |
| 222-311-2 |
General CAS registry entry |
| 618-480-0 |
Commonly used for commercial chitosan products |
MDL No.: MFCD00161512
RTECS No.: FM6300000
7.Physicochemical Properties
General Properties
| Property |
Description |
| Appearance |
White to off-white or light yellow powder, flakes, or crystalline solid |
| Odor |
Odorless and tasteless |
| Physical Form |
Free-flowing powder or granular solid |
| Density |
Approx. 1.4 g/cc |
| Bulk Density |
Approx. 0.5 g/cc |
Solubility
| Solvent |
Solubility |
| Water |
Insoluble |
| Organic solvents |
Insoluble |
| Dilute aqueous acids (pH < 6.5) |
Soluble |
| 1% |
Soluble |
| 1% |
Soluble (10 mg/mL) |
| Alkaline solutions (pH > 6.5) |
Insoluble |
Viscosity
Viscosity varies significantly depending on molecular weight and concentration:
| Grade |
Viscosity |
Conditions |
| Ultra low molecular weight |
~5 cps |
- |
| Low molecular weight |
20-300 cP |
1 wt.% in 1% acid, 25°C |
| Medium molecular weight |
100-300 cps |
- |
| High molecular weight |
800-2000 cP |
1 wt.% in 1% acid, 25°C |
| General commercial |
200-600 mPa-s |
0.5% in 0.5% acid, 20°C |
Note: Viscosity decreases with decreasing molecular weight.
Molecular Weight
Chitosan is available in a wide range of molecular weights:
| Grade |
Molecular Weight |
| Ultra low molecular weight |
~20,000 Da (avg.) |
| Low molecular weight |
50,000-190,000 Da |
| Medium molecular weight |
890,000 Da (avg.) |
| High molecular weight |
310,000-375,000 Da |
Other Properties
| Property |
Value |
| pKa |
~6.3 (weak base with deprotonated amino groups) |
| pH (1% solution) |
4.0-6.0 |
| Hygroscopicity |
Strong hygroscopicity, second only to glycerol |
| Film-forming |
Excellent film-forming properties |
| Biocompatibility |
Excellent biocompatibility and biodegradability |
| Charge |
Positively charged (cationic polyelectrolyte |
9. Quality Specifications
General Specifications
| Parameter |
Specification |
Reference |
| Degree of Deacetylation |
70.0% - 95.0% (pharmacological spec) |
USP/NF monograph |
| > 90.0% (biotech grade) |
|
| > 90%, 95% (medical grade) |
|
| > 85%, 90% (food grade) |
|
| > 80%, 85% (feed/industrial grade) |
|
| Loss on Drying |
≤10.0% |
USP/NF 731 |
| Ash Content (Residue on Ignition) |
< 1.0% (medical grade) |
USP/NF 281 |
| <1.5% (food grade) |
- |
| < 2.0% (feed/industrial grade) |
- |
| pH (1% solution) |
7.0-9.0 |
- |
| Heavy Metals (as Pb) |
≤10 ppm |
USP/NF |
| Ars enic (As) |
≤0.5 ppm |
USP/NF 730 |
| Total Bacterial Count |
≤ 1000 CFU/g |
USP/NF 61 |
| Endotoxin Content |
< 20 EU/g (biotech grade) |
USP/NF 85 |
| < 300 IU/g (pharma grade) |
- |
| Protein Content |
≤0.2% |
USP monograph |
| Insolubility |
< 1.0% (medical/food grade) |
- |
Grade-Specific Specifications
| Parameter |
Medical Grade |
Food Grade |
Feed/lndustrial Grade |
| Appearance |
White powder |
White powder |
White or light yellow |
| Degree of Deacetylation |
>90%,95% |
>85%,90% |
>80%,85% |
| Residue on ignition |
<1.0% |
<1.5% |
<2.0% |
| Heavy metals (Pb) |
≤10 ppm |
≤10 ppm |
- |
| Arse nic |
≤0.5 ppm |
≤0.5 ppm |
- |
| Total bacterial count |
≤1000 CFU/g |
≤1000 CFU/g |
- |
| Viscosity |
≤500 mPa-s |
≤500 mPa-s |
50-1200 mPa-s |
| Particle size |
40, 60, 80, 100 mesh |
|
- |
Pharmacopoeia Compliance
Chitosan complies with major pharmacopoeia standards including:
- USP-NF (United States Pharmacopeia - National Formulary)
- Ph. Eur. (European Pharmacopoeia)
10. Applications
Chitosan is a versatile biopolymer with applications across multiple industries:
Biomedical
- Drug delivery systems: Used as a carrier for controlled and sustained drug release
- Wound healing products:romotes tissue regeneration, reduces inflammation, prevents infections
- Medical devices and implants
- Tissue engineering*and cell culture scaffolds
- Gene delivery and therapy
- Cancer diagnosis and therapy
- Hemostatic agents
- Bone reconstruction and dental surgery
Cosmetic & Personal Care
- Skin care: Film former, moisturizing agent, skin protectant
- Hair care: Setting lotions, shampoos, coloring products, hairspray
- Oral care products
- Anti-aging and moisturizing formulations
Food Industry
- Natural preservative and antimicrobial agent
- Dietary fiber for weig ht managem ent and intestinal health
- Food additive and flocculant
- Active food packaging to extend shelf life
- Cholesterol-lowering agent
Water Treatment & Environmental
- Wastewater treatment: Removal of metal ions, dyes, and pollutants
- Flocculant and coagulant
- Protein recovery from industrial wastewater
Agriculture
- Seed treatment and soil improvement
- Fruit preservationand crop protection
- Feed additive
- Antimicrobial agent for plant protection
Textile & Functional Materials
- Fabric finishing and antimicrobial textiles
- Biodegradable films
- Membrane materials, adsorbents, and fibers
- Papermaking additives and adhesives
11. Key Benefits
Biocompatibility & Biodegradability
Chitosan exhibits excellent biocompatibility, biodegradability, and non-toxicity, making it ideal for biomedical applications. It has no antigenic properties.
Antimicrobial Activity
Chitosan possesses intrinsic antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties. Its positively charged amino groups can disrupt bacterial cell walls and membranes, interfering with cellular metabolism.
Film-Forming Ability
Chitosan forms clear solutions that dry to strong, transparent films, making it valuable for coatings, packaging, and controlled-release applications.
Bioadhesion & Mucoadhesion
Chitosan exhibits excellent bioadhesive and mucoadhesive properties, enhancing drug retention and absorption.
Cationic Nature
As a positively charged polyelectrolyte, chitosan can bind to negatively charged surfaces, fatty acids, and red blood cells. It can absorb 4-6 times its weight in fat.
Environmental Friendliness
Chitosan is a natural, biodegradable, and renewable biopolymer derived from marine or fungal sources. It is readily biodegradable.
Non-Toxic & Safe
Chitosan is non-toxic, allergen-free, and contamination-free, with a strong safety profile for human use.
Versatility
The presence of reactive amino and hydroxyl groups allows for chemical modification and crosslinking, enabling diverse functional applications.
Stability Notes
- Chitosan is hygroscopic and should be protected from moisture
- Physical stability deteriorates under elevated temperature and humidity conditions
- Recommended storage temperature: not exceeding 25°C
- Recommended relative humidity: < 60%
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