EFFECT OF BALL-MILLING TREATMENT ON PHYSICOCHEMICAL AND STRUCTURAL PROPERTIES OF CHITOSAN

In this study, chitosan flake was micronized in a ball mill to make fine powder. The effects of the milling on properties of chitosan, such as particle size, molecular parameters, bulk density, crystalline structure, color, chemical structure, and solubility, were investigated. Results showed that the volume weight mean diameter (D[4,3]) of chitosan was reduced to 37.53 m after 8 h of milling and extended milling did not cause a further decrease in particle size. After milling, the viscosity average molecular weight (Mv) of chitosan was decreased, but the degree of acetylation (DD) remained nearly unchanged. The bulk density of chitosan increased with increasing milling time. The crystalline structure of chitosan was destroyed by the milling. The ball-milling treatment deepened the color of chitosan. UV-vis spectra showed that new C=O groups might be formed during the milling process. Further, the micronized powders showed high dissolution rates in simulated gastric juice.