THERMAL-DEGRADATION OF POLYSACCHARIDES

A study has been made of thermooxidative degradation of anionic polysa ccharides: agar, agaroide, carrageenan, Na alginate, pectin, furcellar an, and their aqueous solutions. Thermokinetic parameters for degradat ion of polymers have been obtained. Polysaccharides with unsubstituted acido groups were found to exhibit the least thermal resistance. Isot hermal degradation of polysaccharide films was shown to proceed via fo rmation of carbonyl groups; for solutions, this results in decreasing. molecular weight and in decreasing strength of gel compositions.