N,O-carboxymethyl chitosan, a water soluble derivative and potential green food preservative

Carboxymethyl Chitosan (NOCC) was prepared from the reaction between chitosan and monochloroacetic acid under alkaline conditions. It has numerous desirable features. It is water soluble, derived from a naturally occurring polysaccharide and is biodegradable. NOCC provides a valuable use for crustacean shells e.g. crabs, lobsters and shrimps which are waste materials and pollutants in many parts of the world