Solution Plasma Processing as an Environmentally Friendly Method for Low-Molecular Chitosan Production

The use of low molecular weight chitosan in biomedicine and agriculture requires the development of new environmentally friendly technology for its production. Combination of physical and chemical factors when using plasma in contact with a liquid makes it possible to fast and efficiently carry out the depolymerization process of chitosan. In this paper, we consider the possibility of using an AC underwater discharge for this problem in comparison to DC atmospheric pressure glow discharge. The structural characteristics of the obtained chitosan were investigated using X-ray and IR analyzes. The results showed that the molecular weight of chitosan decreases significantly for 4 min of the plasma treatment. The analysis of fractionation and detection of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species was carried out. The contributions of physical and chemical factors to the process of chitosan depolymerization have been estimated. In addition, research was carried out on the phytostimulating and elicitor activities of the water-soluble fraction of chitosan.

Automated summary

This paper investigates the production technology of low molecular weight chitosan and finds that the molecular weight of chitosan significantly decreases after plasma treatment. The contribution of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, the structural characteristics of chitosan, and the phytostimulating and elicitor activities of water-soluble chitosan are analyzed, revealing the depolymerization process of chitosan and its potential applications in agriculture and biomedicine.