65 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Purified chitin-glucan complex (CGCpure) was extracted from Komagataella pastoris biomass using a hot alkaline treatment, followed by neutralization and repeated washing with deionized water. The co-polymer thus obtained had a β-glucan:chitin molar ratio of 75:25 and low protein and inorganic salts contents (3.0 and 0.9 wt%, respectively). CGCpure had an average molecular weight of 4.9 × 105 Da with a polydispersity index of 1.7, and a crystallinity index of 50%. Solid-state NMR provided structural insight at the co-polymer. X-ray diffraction suggests that CGCpure has α-chitin in its structure. CGCpure presented an endothermic decomposition peak at 315 C, assigned to the degradation of the saccharide structures. This study revealed that K. pastoris CGC has properties similar to other chitinous biopolymers and may represent an attractive alternative to crustacean chitin derived-products, being a reliable raw material for the development of new/improved pharmaceutical, cosmetic or food products.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)455-464
Number of pages10
JournalCarbohydrate Polymers
Volume130
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 5 Oct 2015

Keywords

  • Chitin-glucan complex (CGC)
  • Komagataella pastoris
  • Molecular weight
  • Structural analysis
  • Thermal properties

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