NEW PRODUCTS OF DEPOLYMERIZING PARTIALLY ACETYLATED CHITOSAN, NEW ENZYMES AND NEW THERMOACTINOMYCES STRAIN FOR THE PRODUCTION THEREOF.

摘要

It has been found that various strains of the genus (Thermoactinomyces) produce substantial quantities of chitosanase when cultivated under appropriate conditions and that a new strain of (Thermoactinomyces) with the identification I-1052, Institut Pasteur, Paris, is of special interest. A new thermostable enzyme has been isolated from the culture broth of this new strain. This new enzyme hydrolyzes chitosans with varying acetylation degrees. New depolymerized partially acetylated chitosan products are obtained by the use of these new enzymes and are characterized by their viscosity, molecular weight distribution and degree of acetylation. Such new products can be used in pharmaceuticals and cosmetic compositions and as auxiliaries in paper making.