Chitosan (CAS 9012-76-4) is a natural polysaccharide derived from chitin by deacetylation. It is used across water treatment, pharmaceutical excipients, cosmetics, food and agriculture for its biocompatibility, film-forming ability, flocculation and antimicrobial properties. PolyblueChem supplies both irradiated and non-irradiated chitosan; specifications below are for the non-irradiated grade.
Specifications (Non-irradiated)
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Appearance | Off-white or light yellow powder |
| DAC degree | 90% min |
| Viscosity | 200 mPa.s max |
| Moisture | 10% max |
| Ash | 1.5% max |
| pH | 6.5-8.5 |
| Acid-insoluble substance | 1.0% max |
| Arsenic | 0.5 ppm max |
| Lead | 0.5 ppm max |
| Mercury | 0.5 ppm max |
| Cd | 0.5 ppm max |
| Heavy metals | 10 ppm max |
| Total plate count | 5000 cfu/g max |
| Yeast & Mold | 100 cfu/g |
| E. coli | Negative |
| Salmonella | Negative |
| Staphylococcus aureus | Negative |
Irradiated grade is available for applications requiring sterility assurance (e.g. pharmaceutical and medical use). Please specify irradiated or non-irradiated when ordering.
Applications
- Water and wastewater treatment – coagulant/flocculant and heavy-metal adsorbent.
- Pharmaceutical excipient and nutraceutical ingredient (weight management, cholesterol support).
- Cosmetics – film-forming, moisturizing and antimicrobial component.
- Agriculture – seed treatment, soil conditioner and plant immunity inducer.
Storage and Packaging
Store sealed, cool and dry, away from moisture and direct sunlight. Standard packaging: 25 kg fibre drums or bags with PE liner.
FAQ
What is the difference between irradiated and non-irradiated chitosan? Irradiated chitosan is sterilized (e.g. gamma irradiation) for pharmaceutical/medical use; non-irradiated grade is supplied for food, cosmetic and general applications. Both are available on request.
What does DAC degree mean? It is the degree of deacetylation – the percentage of acetyl groups removed from chitin. Higher DAC (90% min here) means higher solubility and activity.
