Photocatalyzed degradation of water soluble polysaccharides

Photocatalyzed degradation of aqueous solutions of model polysaccharides pu llulan and laminarin as well as natural mucous macroaggregates and monosacc haride glucose in TiO2 suspensions was examined. The results of the present study revealed similar reaction profiles in the case of photocatalyzed deg radation of pullulan, laminarin and natural macroaggregates, that is an inc rease in monosaccharide concentration in the first stage, followed by a dec rease of monosaccharide concentration. The oxidative cleavage of glycosidic linkages is probably the main reaction process involved in the initial sta ge of photodegradation.