Correlation between physicochemical characteristics and binding capacities of chitosan products

Physicochemical characteristics (molecular weight, nitrogen, ash, degree of deacetylation, bulk density, viscosity, and residual amino acids) of 6 commercial chitosans differed with products. Significant correlations were observed between molecular weight and viscosity and between nitrogen and degree of deacetylation. Binding capacities of water, fat, and three different dyes also varied depending on the products. Results of correlations between binding capacities and physicochemical characteristics indicated that both water and fat binding capacities were significantly negatively correlated with bulk density. In addition, fat binding capacity showed a significant correlation with viscosity. Significant negative correlations were observed between dye binding capacities of three red, yellow, and blue dyes and ash.