Enhanced degradation of chitosan by applying plasma treatment in combination with oxidizing agents for potential use as an anticancer agent

Chayanaphat Chokradjaroen, Ratana Rujiravanit, Anyarat Watthanaphanit, Sewan Theeramunkong, Nagahiro Saito, Kazuko Yamashita, Ryuichi Arakawa

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

35 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Solution plasma (SP) treatment in combination with oxidizing agents, i.e., hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), potassium persulfate (K2S2O8) and sodium nitrite (NaNO2) were adopted to chitosan degradation in order to achieve fast degradation rate, low chemicals used and high yield of low-molecular-weight chitosan and chitooligosaccharide (COS). Among the studied oxidizing agents, H2O2 was found to be the best choice in terms of appreciable molecular weight reduction without major change in chemical structure of the degraded products of chitosan. By the combination with SP treatment, dilute solution of H2O2 (4–60 mM) was required for effective degradation of chitosan. The combination of SP treatment and dilute solution of H2O2 (60 mM) resulted in the great reduction of molecular weight of chitosan and water-soluble chitosan was obtained as a major product. The resulting water-soluble chitosan was precipitated to obtain COS. An inhibitory effect against cervical cancer cell line (HeLa cells) of COS was also examined.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1-11
Number of pages11
JournalCarbohydrate Polymers
Volume167
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2017 Jul 1
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Chitooligosaccharide
  • Chitosan
  • Degradation
  • Oxidizing agent
  • Plasma treatment

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Organic Chemistry
  • Polymers and Plastics
  • Materials Chemistry

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Enhanced degradation of chitosan by applying plasma treatment in combination with oxidizing agents for potential use as an anticancer agent'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this