Abstract:

1.05% of 4 kinds of dietary chitosans with different molecular weights (Mw) and degrees of deacetylation (DDA) (high molecular weight chitosan HCS with Mw 7.60×105 and DDA 85.5%, middle molecular weight chitosan MCS with Mw 3.27×104 and DDA 85.2%, chitooligomer COS with Mw 0.99×103 and DDA 85.7%, and water-soluble chitosan WSC with Mw 3.91×104 and DDA 52.6%) were fed to mice for 90 days. No abnormal symptoms, clinical signs or deaths were observed during the feeding period. The body weights of mice between chitosan groups and control group show no significant difference. HCS almost has no effect on the levels of lead in liver, spleen, heart and kidney. COS and WSC decrease the levels of lead in liver, spleen and heart. However, MCS significantly increases the level of lead in liver.

Key words: chitosan, mouse, lead