The chitosan prepared from crab tendon I: the characterization and the mechanical properties

Crystalline chitosan was prepared from crab tendon consisting mainly of chitin, including various proteins and calcium phosphates. The crab tendon has high mechanical properties due to its aligned molecular structure. Crab tendon components, i.e. proteins and calcium phosphates, were removed by deacetyl treatment using 50 wt% NaOH aqueous solution at 100°C, and a subsequent ethanol treatment. As judged from microscopic observations using an optical polarizer, the treated chitosan remained intact regarding its aligned molecular structure, and had a high tensile strength of 67.9±11.4 MPa. The tensile strength was further enhanced to 235±30 MPa by a thermal treatment at 120°C, corresponding to the formation of the intermolecular hydrogen bonds.