The Moisture Absorption and Retention Abilities of Carboxymethyl Inulin and Quaternized Inulin

Two kinds of inlin derivatives, carboxymethyl inulin (CMI) and quaternized inulin (QI), were successfully synthesized. Their structural properties were characterized by FT-IR and their moisture absorption-retention ability were explored and compared with those of hyaluronic acid (HA), respectively. Carboxymethyl and quaternary ammonium salt groups are anionic and cationic groups, which are both hydrophilic. Thereby, hydrogen bonds readily develop interactions between the derivatives' chains and water molecules. As a result, CMI and QI tended to hold more water molecules. Therefore, CMI and QI showed much stronger moisture absorption-retention ability than those of inulin. CMI should be further explored in cosmetic and clinical fields as HA substitute due to its more excellent moisture retention-absorption ability.