The Department of Science and Technology of Shandong Province gave high appraisement on the new approach of preparing low molecular weight chitosan and chitooligosaccharides by microwave technology on Dec. 18, 2010.

The new approach was co-developed by Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences and Shandong Wei-Kang Biomedical Science and Technology Co., Ltd.

Low molecular weight chitosan and chitooligosaccharides are widely used in medicine, food, agriculture and daily necessities. However, the existing preparation technology is unsatisfactory due to its heavy pollution and high-cost. The new approach, on the other hand, is in line with sustainable development with such advantages as low-cost, high selectivity, energy conservation, environmental protection, high efficiency and yield.

It is worth noting that the microwave technology has greatly speeded up the reaction process with reaction time 10-20 times shorter and emery consumption 30% lower than the existing technology, which was awarded an international invention patent and a national invention patent. 

So far, a set of fluidized microwave reactors have been put into operation in pilot production lines. The production rate of low molecular weight chitosan and chitooligosaccharides can reach more than 80% and 95% respectively.