Abstract
Recent years have seen a steady increase in interest and demand for the use of humectants based on biodegradable natural polymers in many fields. The aim of this paper is to investigate the moisture absorption and retention properties of 2-hydroxypropyltrimethyl ammonium chitosan derivatives which were modified by anionic compounds via ion exchange. FTIR, 1H NMR, and 13C NMR spectroscopy were used to demonstrate the specific structures of chitosan derivatives. The degrees of substitution for objective products were calculated by the integral ratio of hydrogen atoms according to 1H NMR spectroscopy. Meanwhile, moisture absorption of specimens was assayed in a desiccator at different relative humidity (RH: 43% and 81%), and all target products exhibited enhanced moisture absorption. Furthermore, moisture retention measurement at different relative humidity (RH: 43%, 81%, and drier silica gel) was estimated, and all target products possessed obviously improved moisture retention property. Specifically, after 48 h later, the moisture retention property of HACBA at 81% RH was 372.34%, which was much higher than HA (180.04%). The present study provided a novel method to synthesize chitosan derivatives with significantly improved moisture absorption and retention properties that would serve as potential humectants in biomedical, food, medicine, and cosmetics fields.
Highlights
Humectants are compounds which can obtain and retain moisture from the humid air to achieve moisturizing and moistening effects [1,2,3]
Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), 1 H Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), 13 C NMR spectroscopy were used to demonstrate the specific structures of chitosan derivatives
Anionic compounds including carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS), Carboxymethyl Inulin (CMIL), betaine, sodium pyrrolidone carboxylate, and sodium lactate were successfully introduced to cationic compound (HACC) through ion exchange in water
Summary
Humectants are compounds which can obtain and retain moisture from the humid air to achieve moisturizing and moistening effects [1,2,3]. Humectants have been widely used in food, cosmetics, and other fields due to their water stabilization capacity [4]. On the one hand, it is crucial to reduce the relative humidity level and keep moisture stability in order to maintain the sensory attributes and extend shelf life in foods [4,5]. For human skin, it is of vital importance to increase hydration with the aid of humectants [6,7]. Humectants can serve as carriers to deliver vitamins, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory drugs to skin [6,7]. It is reported that the humectants industry is growing rapidly, and the market will reach a value of $26.27 billion by 2022 [8]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
