1. Degradation principle and process
Multiple mechanical forces: The high-pressure homogenizer is mainly composed of a high-pressure homogenization chamber and a pressurization mechanism. During the high-pressure homogenization process, chitosan solution is rapidly pushed through the homogenization chamber. During this process, the material will be subjected to mechanical forces such as high-speed shear, high-frequency oscillation, cavitation, and convective impact simultaneously. These mechanical forces can break the chemical bonds within and between chitosan molecules, such as glycosidic bonds, causing the long-chain molecular structure of chitosan to break, thereby achieving degradation and reducing its molecular weight.
Thermal effect assistance: During the process of mechanical force, a certain thermal effect will be generated, which also helps to promote the degradation reaction of chitosan molecules. The thermal effect can intensify the movement of chitosan molecules, weaken the intermolecular forces, and make chemical bonds more easily broken.
2. Factors affecting degradation efficiency
Homogenization pressure: Generally speaking, the higher the homogenization pressure, the better the degradation effect of chitosan. Higher pressure can subject chitosan solution to stronger mechanical forces, resulting in greater degree of chain breakage and lower molecular weight of degradation products.
Cycle times: Multiple cycles through a high-pressure homogenizer can improve the degradation degree of chitosan. As the number of cycles increases, chitosan molecules are constantly subjected to mechanical forces, and the molecular chains are gradually broken, resulting in a continuous decrease in the molecular weight of degradation products.
Raw material characteristics: The initial molecular weight and degree of deacetylation of chitosan also affect the degradation effect of high-pressure homogenization technology. Chitosan with higher initial molecular weight requires higher pressure or more cycles to achieve better degradation effect; Chitosan molecules with higher degrees of deacetylation have weaker hydrogen bonding interactions and may be more easily degraded.
-Solution properties: The concentration and solvent type of chitosan solution can also affect the degradation effect. For example, within an appropriate concentration range, a higher concentration of chitosan solution may enhance intermolecular interactions, requiring higher pressure to achieve degradation; And different solvents may affect the solubility and molecular structure of chitosan molecules, thereby affecting the degradation effect.
3. Analysis and characterization of degradation products:
Molecular weight determination: The molecular weight and distribution of chitosan degradation products can be determined by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and other methods. This is an important indicator for evaluating the degradation effect of high-pressure homogenization technology, which can intuitively reflect the degree of breakage of chitosan molecular chains.
Structural analysis: Infrared spectroscopy (IR), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and other techniques can be used to analyze the structure of chitosan degradation products and determine their chemical structure changes, such as the breakage of glycosidic bonds and changes in functional groups.
Morphological observation: Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), etc. can be used to observe the morphology and microstructure of chitosan degradation products, and understand the effect of high-pressure homogenization technology on chitosan particle morphology.

4. Application areas:

-In the field of biomedicine, low molecular weight chitosan degradation products have good biocompatibility and biodegradability, and are widely used in drug delivery, tissue engineering, and other fields. For example, it can be used as a drug carrier to improve the bioavailability of drugs; Used for preparing tissue repair materials to promote cell growth and differentiation. -In the field of food industry, chitosan degradation products can be used as food additives for preservation, preservation, thickening, and other purposes. The chitosan degraded by high-pressure homogenization technology has better solubility and dispersibility in the food system, and can better exert its functional characteristics. -In the agricultural field, chitosan degradation products can be used as plant growth regulators to promote plant growth and development; It can also be used to prepare biopesticides and has a certain preventive effect on pests and diseases. -In the field of cosmetics, chitosan degradation products can be used for moisturizing, antioxidant, antibacterial, etc., which can improve the performance and quality of cosmetics.

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