Use of chitosan in the treatment of obesity: evaluation of interaction with vitamin B2

Abstract

Obesity is a serious health problem and its prevalence has increased over the years. Studies have assessed the polysaccharide chitosan as anti-obesity supplement due to its ability to absorb fats. However, this property may cause the interaction of chitosan with essential substances for the proper functioning of the body, such as vitamins. In this context, the purpose of the present study was to evaluate interactions of the chitosan with vitamin B2.These interactions were evaluated in the absence and the presence of acid aqueous solution of chitosan using fluorescence and ultraviolet–visible absorption measurements of vitamin B2.Results showed that the rigid microenvironment generated by chitosan solution modifies the photophysics properties of vitamin B2.Thus, chitosan is able to eliminate vitamin B2 and the present study aims to warn of excessive loss of vitamins or other nutrients by the body during prolonged treatment with chitosan.

Keywords::

• Riboflavin
• obesity
• chitosan
• spectroscopy

Acknowledgements

The authors thank the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq-Brazil), the Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP-Brazil), and I. Gonçalves and A. Lima for assistance in the laboratory.

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.