Abstract:

This experiment explored the possibility of the Maillard reaction between chitosan and xylose in the dry heat state
and investigated the effects of reaction temperature, relative humidity, reaction duration, and mixing ratio on the reaction.
Meanwhile, the thermal behavior and rheological properties of the resultant Maillard reaction products were characterized
as well. The results indicated that the Maillard reaction between chitosan and xylose occurred readily in the dry state
and the optimum conditions were determined as follows: chitosan-xylose mixing ratio, 1:1; reaction temperature,
90 ℃; relative humidity, 61.2%; and reaction duration, 4 h. The resultant Maillard reaction products displayed
a reduced thermal degradation temperature compared with chitosan. Rheological measurements revealed greatly
enhanced elastic property in solution.

Key words: chitosan, xylose, Maillard reaction, dry heat method