The observation of the cross-section images (Fig. 7), revealed aprogressive compaction of the fibers under the influence of a grow-ing number of chitosan layers, a ‘‘gluing” effect which confirmed thatthe polymer did indeed penetrate within the paper sheet, to anextent that obviously depended on the number of its successiveadditions. This intimate interaction between two polysaccharidesis not surprising, given their structural affinity which translates intoa pronounced tendency to form intermolecular hydrogen bonds.