title: Chitosan/pectin/gum Arabic polyelectrolyte complex: process-dependent appearance, microstructure analysis and its application.
abstract: Novel chitosan/pectin/gum Arabic polyelectrolyte complex (PEC) solutions and membranes with various compositions were prepared for biomedical applications. The appearance of the PEC solutions, either clear or turbid, was process-dependent and depended on how the three components were dissolved and mixed. The addition of gum Arabic to the chitosan and pectin significantly decreased the viscosities of the resultant PEC solutions due to the formation of globe-like microstructures that was accompanied by network-like microstructures and other molecular entanglements. The mechanical strength and hydrophilicity of the PEC membranes manufactured from the PEC solutions, especially for a weight ratio of 84/8/8 (chitosan/pectin/gum Arabic), were enhanced compared to pure chitosan membranes. Moreover, the use of the 84/8/8 PEC membranes as a drug carrier exhibited steady and fairly complete release of a drug (insulin) for 6h. Based on these promising results, the chitosan/pectin/gum Arabic PEC membranes have great potential in controlled drug release applications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei 106, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Ruei-Yi
authors.initials: RY
authors.lastname: Tsai
authors.forename: Pin-Wen
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Ting-Yun
authors.initials: TY
authors.lastname: Kuo
authors.forename: Che-Min
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Da-Ming
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Tzu-Yang
authors.initials: TY
authors.lastname: Hsien
authors.forename: Hsyue-Jen
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Hsieh
mesh_terms: D048271:Chitosan / Q000737:chemistry*; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004337:Drug Carriers / Q000737:chemistry*; D004355:Drug Stability; D006170:Gum Arabic / Q000737:chemistry*; D057927:Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; D007328:Insulin / Q000737:chemistry; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D010368:Pectins / Q000737:chemistry*; D014783:Viscosity
chemical_list: D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004337:Drug Carriers; D007328:Insulin; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D010368:Pectins; D006170:Gum Arabic; D048271:Chitosan
keywords: A; C; C/A; C/P; C/P/A; Chitosan; Controlled drug release; Gum Arabic; HAc; Microstructure; P; PEC; Pectin; Polyelectrolyte complex (PEC); acetic acid; chitosan; chitosan/gum Arabic; chitosan/pectin; chitosan/pectin/gum Arabic; gum Arabic; pectin; polyelectrolyte complex