[Acid-base properties and the thermodynamics of amphotericin B ionization in aqeous solutions]

Acid-base properties of amphotericin B, polyenic antibiotic in aqueous solutions was studied. A special procedure provided the use of potentiometric titration for investigation of ionization of the groups of the water-insoluble substance. The ionization constants of the carboxylic and amine groups of the antibiotic were determined at several temperatures. It was found that ionization of the acid group did not depend on the temperature. At the same time the heat effect of the amine group ionization was significant and amounted to about 10 kcal/mole. Thermodynamic analysis of the ionization process of amphotericin B in aqueous solutions was performed. Integral components defining the process energetics were calculated.