Enzymatic degradation of beta-chitin: susceptibility and the influence of deacetylation

Susceptibility of beta-chitin to lysozyme and the influence of deacetylation on the enzymatic degradation behavior have been elucidated. beta-Chitin was degraded much more readily than alpha-chitin due to the weak intermolecular forces. Partially deacetylated beta-chitins were prepared under mild conditions and subjected to lysozyme treatment. The degradation rate proved to be affected markedly by the extent of deacetylation and showed a maximum at about 50% deacetylation. The rate then decreased, and the derived chitosan with a degree of deacetylation of 0.97 was not degraded at all. Fine control of degradability thus became possible, indicating a high potential of beta-chitin as a biodegradable specialty polymer with low toxicity.