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Updated: Feb 2, 2026

Preparation and Characterization of SDF-1α-Chitosan-Dextran Sulfate Nanoparticles
Published on: January 22, 2015
Complex coacervation of carboxymethyl konjac glucomannan and chitosan and coacervate characterization
Jun-Xia Xiao1, Lu-Hui Wang1, Tong-Cheng Xu2
1College of Food Science and Engineering, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China.
Abstract:
Carboxymethyl konjac glucomannan (CMKGM) shows potential in the construction of colon-targeted delivery systems through electrostatic interaction-based techniques. Its coacervation with chitosan (CHI) was investigated as a function of degree of substitution (DS). CMKGMs displayed the same optimum coacervation conditions of pH 6.5 and mass ratio 1:1 with CHI, but the coacervate yield was positively related to their DS. The coacervation was weakened by the presence of NaCl, but was not affected in temperatures 25-75 °C and total biopolymer concentrations 0.05-0.15% (w/v). Both electrostatic interaction and hydrogen bonding were involved in the coacervation and a higher DS contributed a denser network structure, a smaller particle size, and greater elasticity. The coacervates maintained their structures in simulated gastrointestinal fluids, but could be degraded by the β-mannanase in simulated colonic fluid. Hence, CMKGMs could be used in colon-targeted and enzyme-triggered delivery systems and the delivery performance could be tailored by varying their DS.
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