Cationic starch nanoparticles based on polyelectrolyte complexes.
Cationic starch nanoparticles were obtained by aqueous polyelectrolyte complex formation between cationic quaternary ammonium substituted starches and anionic sodium tripolyphosphate. The formation of nanosized starch particles of spherical shape was verified by dynamic light scattering and scanning electron microscopy measurements. The cationic starch nanoparticles of different constitution and containing various contents of free quaternary ammonium groups were produced and their zeta potential was modulated between +4 mV and +34 mV by varying polycation/polyanion ratio. Furthermore, the polyelectrolyte complex formation was confirmed by differential scanning calorimetry and FTIR analyses. The thermal stability of cationic starch nanoparticles increased with the introduction of polysalt into polyelectrolyte complex. The solubilization capacity of nanoparticles was varying with the concentration and composition as revealed by fluorescence probe experiments. The capability to accommodate hydrophobic pyrene quest molecule was decreasing with the increasing number of cationic groups in cationic starches and little depended on polyanion/polycation ratio in starch nanoparticles.
Laboratory of Biopolymer Research, Faculty of Chemical Technology, Kaunas University of Technology, Radvilenu plentas 19, Kaunas LT-50254, Lithuania. ramune.rutkaite@ktu.lt
Ramune
R
Rutkaite
Joana
J
Bendoraitiene
Rima
R
Klimaviciute
Algirdas
A
Zemaitaitis
D057927:Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; D006895:Hydroxyethyl Starch Derivatives / Q000737:chemistry*; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D011122:Polyphosphates / Q000737:chemistry*; D012995:Solubility; D013696:Temperature; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry
D006895:Hydroxyethyl Starch Derivatives; D011122:Polyphosphates; D014867:Water; C005692:triphosphoric acid