Study of the interpolyelectrolyte reaction between chitosan and alginate: influence of alginate composition and chitosan molecular weight.
The interpolyelectrolyte reaction between chitosan (CHI) and alginate (ALG) was followed by conductimetry and potentiometry. Five chitosan samples, all with almost the same degree of N-acetylation (DA approximately 0.20) and molecular weights ranging from 5 x 10(3) to 2.5 x 10(5) Da were used. The polyelectrolyte complex was formed using alginate samples with three different M/G values (0.44, 1.31 and 1.96). The composition of the complex, Z (Z = [CHI]/[ALG]) resulted 0.70 +/- 0.02, independently of the molecular weight of chitosan and the composition of the alginate used. The degree of complexation was 0.51 with no dependence on the alginate composition.
Becherán-Marón
L
L
IMRE, Universidad de La Habana, La Habana 10400, Cuba.
Peniche
C
C
Argüelles-Monal
W
W
D000464:Alginates / Q000737:chemistry*; D048271:Chitosan / Q000737:chemistry*; D004573:Electrolytes / Q000737:chemistry; D020723:Glucuronic Acid / Q000737:chemistry*; D006603:Hexuronic Acids / Q000737:chemistry*; D008970:Molecular Weight; D009608:Nitrous Acid / Q000737:chemistry; D012996:Solutions
D000464:Alginates; D004573:Electrolytes; D006603:Hexuronic Acids; D012996:Solutions; D020723:Glucuronic Acid; D048271:Chitosan; D009608:Nitrous Acid