Synthesis and Characterization of High Molecular Weight Chitosan, and Antioxidant Activity of Its Chitosan Oligosaccharide Encapsulation

High molecular weight nanocrystalline chitosan (HMWNC)with Mw of 350 kDa and 66.92% DDA was prepared by alkaline N-deacetylation chitin that abundantly obtained after demineralization deproteinization pulverized crab shells, commercially available oligosaccharide (COS) with average Mw< 3000 Da 87% encapsulated HMWNC. The encapsulation COS as a pharmaceutical ingredient into HMWC hypothesized to enhance the bioavailability in target cells. HMWNC (COS-HMWNC) showed vitro antioxidant activity on 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals (IC50 = 512.6±14.4 ?g/mL) while others less than 50% inhibition at 1000 ?g/mL. lower chitosan, higher activity. study molecules HMWNCcould be used simple effective way enhancing COS.