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Updated: May 12, 2026

Preparation and Characterization of SDF-1α-Chitosan-Dextran Sulfate Nanoparticles
Published on: January 22, 2015
Chitosan-gellan electrostatic complexes: influence of preparation conditions and surfactant presence
Carolina Siqueira Franco Picone1, Rosiane Lopes Cunha
1Department of Food Engineering, Faculty of Food Engineering, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), 13083-862 Campinas, SP, Brazil.
Abstract:
Nanoparticles were obtained by electrostatic complexation between chitosan and gellan gum at different polysaccharide ratios. The effect of the chitosan:gellan ratio on the particle charge and particle size distribution was determined by dynamic light scattering measurements. The particle stability was studied during storage in an aqueous medium at 25°C for 100 h. The effect of the preparation procedure (mixing steps) on the characteristics of the complexes was also determined. In addition, the influence of a nonionic surfactant (polysorbate-20) on the chitosan:gellan electrostatic complexes (PECs) was evaluated. The charge of the PECs depended on the polysaccharide ratio. During storage, structural reorganization of the complexes was observed. The mixture protocol was a determinant factor for PEC size. Multilayered particles formed by a 2-step mixing of polysaccharide solutions showed a considerable increase in size as compared to the complexes formed by a 1-step mixing. The PEC size, count rate and zeta potential were not affected by the presence of polysorbate-20.
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