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Updated: Jan 22, 2026

Rapid Viscoelastic Characterization of Airway Mucus Using a Benchtop Rheometer
Published on: April 21, 2022
Effect of pH on the viscoelastic properties of pig gastric mucus
R M Parlato1, F Greco1, P L Maffettone1
1Department of Chemical, Materials, and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Napoli Federico II, P.le Tecchio 80, 80125, Napoli, Italy.
Abstract:
Mucus is a biomaterial with peculiar, gel-like viscoelastic properties, and bearing different functionalities, depending on the different mucosae it covers. It is clear that these functionalities have to stay effective throughout the in vivo broad range of physiological pH values at which the mucus is exposed. We sought here to determine the effect of pH on the rheological properties of ex vivo mucus. We demonstrate that viscoelastic properties of gastric mucus are quite "stable" to pH changes, in marked contrast with the pH sensitivity of purified mucin gels. We also find that the rheological features of porcine gastric mucus are reversible when the system is first alkalized up to solubilization (pH > 8.5) and then re-acidified to its initial pH value.
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