...solutions and the chemical reactions responsible for the degradation. The relative viscosity of an alginate solution may be severely reduced over a short period of time under conditions favoring degradation. The glycosidic linkages are susceptible to both acid and alkaline degradation...

...of chitosans both in the solid state and in solution, and the chemical reactions responsible for the degradation. The glycosidic linkages are susceptible...alkaline degradation and oxidation by free radicals. However, because most applications of commercial chitosans are limited by its solubility at acidic...