On the sonication of chitin: effects on its structure and morphology and influence on its deacetylation

The pre-sonication provoked noticeable changes in the chitin morphology but its overall crystallinity was unaffected. The sonication of chitin seemed to improve its homogeneity and to increase the particles surface, enhancing the accessibility of reagents. Pre-sonicated chitin was more efficiently d eacetylated (up to 95%) than commercial chitin (up to 88%) probably due to the mechanical action of ultra-sound since the previous stirring of solid c hitin while suspended in hot or cold water for 1 hour also enhanced the dea cetylation efficiency.