Abstract
Almost total biodegradation of unmodified chitosan films takes place in soil over 5-7 days. The rate of biodegradation increases significantly with a high (50%) soil moisture content and when the films are placed at a lower depth (aerobic conditions). Degradation of films in liquid media that simulate the pH and salt composition in living organisms takes place more slowly and is completed in several months. The films are more stable in weakly basic medium than in weakly acid medium. Films modified with cross-linking agents and films in the S-form — both modified and unmodified by cross-linking agents — degrade more rapidly than films in the B-form. Increasing the content of cross-linking agent in the films increases their resistance to degradation. However, in all cases, total degradation of the films can be obtained, so that chitosan films are not hazardous to the environment.
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Vikhoreva, G.A., Kil'deeva, N.R., Ustinov, M.Y. et al. Fabrication and Study of the Degradability of Chitosan Films. Fibre Chemistry 34, 407–411 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1022904023526
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1022904023526