Visualization of morphological features of chitosan microtubes during biodegradation

Morphological features were visualized and the weight loss of chitosan microtubes during in vitro biodegradation was evaluated in two model media (an enzyme medium of lysozyme and the phosphate buffer) by means of scanning electron microscopy and gravimetry. It was observed that during incubation in the enzymatic medium, the relief and morphology of the microtube surface were changing, as expressed in the appearance of micropores, cracks and bulk defects. When keeping the samples in the phosphate buffer, no substantial defects were formed, only few micropores appeared. The weight loss of the samples after 180 days of storage in the lysozyme medium and phosphate buffer was 30 and 7%, respectively.