Chitosan has been extensively exploited in biomaterials research because of easy tailorable properties. Chitosan fibers are produced through either wetspinning or electrospinning. However, it is difficult to produce few microns fibers using either of these techniques. Present study focuses on production of ultrafine chitosan fibers through modified wetspinning technique by injecting homogenous chitosan solution through a very fine hole of silicone tube into either sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP) or sodium hydroxide (NaOH) bath by applying positive pressure. The gelation behavior of the chitosan was evaluated with STPP and NaOH solution through rheological study for comparative spinnability of chitosan in STPP and NaOH bath. Although gel strength of chitosan-NaOH system (240 Pa) was four times higher than that of chitosan-STPP system, gel breakdown rate was higher in previous case. From Fourier infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis, ionic cross-linking between TPP and chitosan molecules in chitosan-TPP fibers was confirmed. Scanning electron micrographs showed fine chitosan fibers with average diameter of similar to 10 mu m. These nonwoven fibers/scaffolds with interconnected porosity may find potential biomedical applications. (C) 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 121: 1550-1557, 2011