Inclusion and release of proteins from polysaccharide-based polyion complexes

The notion of a polyelectrolyte complex is well established for the complexation of two polymers one anionic, the other cationic. Electronic microscopy studies have shown the formation of a fibrilar structure. A method for the preparation of polyionic hydrogels from the complexation of chitosan and xanthan is reported. Electronic microscopy studies have shown the formation of a fibrilar structure. Stable hydrogels have been used to immobilize xylanase, lipase and protease. The immobilized xylanase and lipase activity was significantly higher than that of the free enzyme.