The lipid binding capacity of chitosan (partially deacetylated chitin) was determined with respect to micellar solutions of bile salts, dodecyl sulfate, natural ox bile and an artificial mixed microemulsion. The stoichiometry was determined following the separation of the solid phase by filtration or that the interactions are mainly of ionic nature. It is noteworthy that under optimal conditions chitosan could bind, i.e., coprecipitate, with 4-5 times of its weight with all the lipid aggregates tested. These results have a bearing on the nutritional and pharmacological applications of chitosan. The analyses of the components from the precipitates with microemulsion and ox bile show a significant selectivity of binding caused by hydrophobic interactions.

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