Preparation of N-Acetylchitooligosaccharides by Enzymatic Hydrolysis of Chitosans

Abstract

An economical production process of higher N-acetylchitooligosaccharides [(GlcNAc)n, n=5~7 ] was developed with enzymatic and chemical reactions in this study. (GlcNAc)n were prepared selectively and efficiently by hydrolysis of chitosans with cheap enzyme preparations including cellulase TV, cellulosin A.C and hemicellulase, followed by N-acetylation with acetic anhydride. Higher (GlcNAc)n could be obtained in high yields by using cellulosin A.C and hemicellulase, which are originated from Aspergillus niger.