Uptake of Bile Acid into Calcium-Induced Alginate Gel Beads Containing β-Chitosan Weak Acid Salt

Recently, potential applications for β-chitosan (β-CS) have been examined. In the present study, calcium-induced alginate gel beads (Alg-Ca) containing weak acid salts of β-CS were prepared and examined with regard to their ability to adsorb bile acids in vitro. More than 70% of taurocholate dissolved in solution was taken up by Alg-Ca containing 100 mg β-CS, sim. ilar to the degree of uptake observed with Alg-Ca containing α-CS salt. The adsorption of bile acid was affected by the absolute amount of β-CS and/or the acid concentration of the preparation. A secondary bile acid, taurodeoxycholate, was also adsorbed by Alg-Ca containing weak acid salts of β-CS. Therefore, β-CS might be used to adsorb bile acids within the gastrointestinal tract in the same manner as an anion-exchange resin, and thus serve as a complementary means by which to prevent hyperlipidemia.