摘要：Chitin was submitted to oxidation with potassium permanganate in dilute solution of sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid or sodium hydroxide. Both copper value and the amount of methylene blue adsorbed were increased with the amount of permanganate used for oxidation. Copper value, however, was not increased when the oxidation was carried out in dilute sodium hydroxide solution. On the other hand, in the case of oxidation with sodium periodate, the copper value for purified chitin and chitosan were considerably increased. Further, these oxidation products, chitin or its derivatives were treated with hydrochloric acid under reflux. Appreciable difference in the yield of the glucosamine was not observed between purified chitin and its oxidation products, but in the case of chitin derivatives such as regenerated chitin, carboxymethylchitin or glycolchitin, yields of glucosamine were remarkably increased, so they seem to be less stable than purified chitin against hydrochloric acid. From the results of the copper value and methylene blue adsorption, it will be concluded that decolorization with potassium permanganate should be avoided in preparation of purified chitin.
