Determining the Deacetylation Degree of Chitosan: Opportunities to Learn Instrumental Techniques

Autor/inn/en	Pérez-Álvarez, Leyre; Ruiz-Rubio, Leire; Vilas-Vilela, Jose Luis
Titel	Determining the Deacetylation Degree of Chitosan: Opportunities to Learn Instrumental Techniques
Quelle	In: Journal of Chemical Education, 95 (2018) 6, S.1022-1028 (7 Seiten)Infoseite zur Zeitschrift PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Zusatzinformation	ORCID (Pérez-Álvarez, Leyre)
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	0021-9584
DOI	10.1021/acs.jchemed.7b00902
Schlagwörter	Science Instruction; Problem Solving; Critical Thinking; College Science; Undergraduate Study; Student Projects; Science Experiments; Science Laboratories; Laboratory Experiments; Scientific Concepts; Science Process Skills; Teamwork; Pharmacy + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Teaching of science; Science education; Natural sciences Lessons; Naturwissenschaftlicher Unterricht; Problemlösen; Kritisches Denken; Grundstudium; Schulprojekt; Laboratory work; Laborarbeit; Apotheke
Abstract	To enhance critical thinking and problem-solving skills, a project-based learning (PBL) approach for "Instrumental Techniques" courses in undergraduate physical chemistry was specifically developed for a pharmacy bachelor degree program. The starting point of this PBL was an open-ended question that is close to the student scientist's interest and related to this lab: "How can we determine the deacetylation degree of chitosan?" Chitosan is a polysaccharide used in a broad range of pharmacy applications because of its unique properties. Many of these properties derive from the presence of primary amino groups (-NH[subscript 2]) in its structure. These -NH[subscript 2] groups are usually formed by the deacetylation of chitin. For this reason, a proper quantification of the deacetylation degree (DD) of chitosan is important to know whether it can be used in a particular application. This driving question requires an experimental procedure that can be carried out by a wide range of instrumental techniques. In this project, techniques such as conductometry, potentiometry, and [superscript 1]H NMR were addressed to present an easily reproducible experience for first-year undergraduate students. Students evaluated the applicability of the available instrumental techniques, designed their own laboratory procedures, obtained experimental results, and analyzed data in a challenging experience in which high order thinking and knowledge transfer skills were endorsed. The project described here promotes students' knowledge of instrumental techniques, and offers them an appropriate scenario to develop transferable skills, such as team-working, problem-solving, and written communication, among others. (As Provided).
Anmerkungen	Division of Chemical Education, Inc and ACS Publications Division of the American Chemical Society. 1155 Sixteenth Street NW, Washington, DC 20036. Tel: 800-227-5558; Tel: 202-872-4600; e-mail: eic@jce.acs.org; Web site: http://pubs.acs.org/jchemeduc
Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2020/1/01