Environmental Influence on Degradation of Chitosan Bioplastics.

ABSTRACT: Mineralization rates of chitosan flakes and films representing various molecular weights, solubilizing acids, and postdrying treatments were measured over time using a commercial respirometer. While molecular weight and solubilizing acid did not result in significant differences in mineralization in compost, neutralization of chitosan with hydroxide base led to slower initial mineralization rates for home (25 °C) compost (first-order rate constant, k = 0.55 ± 0.11 vs 1.97 ± 0.27 months^-1) and industrial (58 °C) compost (k = 0.77 ± 0.11 vs 3.32 ± 0.11 months^-1) conditions. Adding glycerin to the water-soluble films also slowed the mineralization rate for the first 10 days (k = 1.19 ± 0.12 vs 1.97 ± 0.27 months^-1). Increasing degradation

SUBMITTER: Orcutt K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12508991 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature