Behavior of alginate gel beads containing chitosan salt prepared with water-soluble vitamins.

Alginate gel beads were prepared which contained weak acid salts of chitosan (Alg-CS) and water-soluble vitamins (e.g. ascorbic acid (AS)) and the behavior of the beads, uptake of bile acids was investigated in vitro. The Alg-CS beads rapidly took up bile acid and this phenomenon was observed for both hydrogel beads and dried beads. About 120 micromol of taurocholic acid was taken up into Alg-CS (1 g) prepared with orotic acid. Dried Alg-CS is the granule which can be made easily, and keeps the ability of CS salt, and all elements can be taken as a food. Therefore, Alg-CS could serve as a useful dietary agent for the prevention of hyperlipidemia.