Modification of chitosan using hydrogen peroxide and ascorbic acid and its physicochemical properties including water solubility, oil entrapment and in vitro lipase activity

Chitosan was modified using H₂O₂ and ascorbic acid with different incubation temperatures (4–40 °C). The properties of modified chitosan, including its oil entrapment ability, water solubility and the lipase-resistant activities, using in vitro intestine model system were determined. Nuclear magnetic resonance analysis showed that ascorbic acid was bound to modified chitosan. All of the modified chitosan from 4 to 40 °C demonstrated improved water solubility (even in pH 7) compared to non-modified chitosan, which was only soluble at pH 4. Modified chitosan from 4 °C exhibited 27.40% of oil entrapment ability which was approximately four times higher than 6.87% of non-modified chitosan. Modified chitosan from 4 and 40 °C had increased resistance against lipase activity compared to other biopolymers, including beeswax, carnauba wax and non-modified chitosan. Modified chitosan could be used as a new food ingredient due to their high water solubility, oil-entrapping ability and resisting lipase activity.