The physicochemical properties and antitumor activity of cellulase-treated chitosan

Cellulase was used to partially hydrolyse N-acetylated chitosan. The hydrolysis process was monitored by gel permeation chromatography. Factors affecting the enzymatic hydrolysis of chitosan were studied. The degraded chitosans were characterized by X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, differential thermal analysis, Fourier transform infrared and carbon-13 magnetic resonance spectra.