STUDIES ON CHITOSAN GELS WITH POLYVINYL ALCOHOL TO PROTECT THE OESOPHAGEAL MUCOSA

Young children have an incompletely developed digestive tract and they are susceptible to numerous disorders due to the return of acid and alkaline content to the oesophagus. The aim of the study was to analyse the ability of hydrogels containing chitosan and polyvinyl alcohol to prevent irritation of the oesophageal mucosa in children. The addition of chitosan to the tested gels increased their pH, which could be useful to neutralise gastric reflux, and dynamic viscosity. The texture tests revealed that chitosan and polyvinyl alcohol significantly increased the work of adhesion work.