Chitosan globules

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Abstract
Summary: We prepared chitosan globules to use as a structural unit or as a means of controlled ingredient release in food products. Globules were fabricated by coagulating drops of chitosan solutions (1–2% w/w chitosan in 3.8–5.6% w/w citric acid solution) in 1 N NaOH. The chitosan solutions, dropped from a 2.9 mm diameter tube, resulted in ellipsoidal globules with diameters of 3.7–5.1 mm and an opaque, whitish appearance similar to that of cooked white rice. The globules contained more than 98% water, about half of which could be squeezed out under compression.The force‐deformation test indicated an increase in the strength, elastic moduli, and relaxation time of fabricated globules when the chitosan concentration was higher in the casting solution. When the citric acid concentration was higher, elastic moduli generally increased, but the longest relaxation time decreased. The globules sustained up to approximately 0.8 linear strain without fracture. Stress relaxation tests showed that the viscoelastic properties of globules may be represented by a one‐element Maxwell model with a relaxation time on the order of 1000 sec and an elastic modulus of 0.05–0.27 g/mm2.

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