Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 27, 2025

A Freeze-Thawing Method to Prepare Chitosan-Polyvinyl alcohol Hydrogels Without Crosslinking Agents and Diflunisal Release Studies
Published on: January 14, 2020
On the Formation and Stability of Chitosan/Hyaluronan-Based Complex Coacervates
Franco Furlani1, Pietro Parisse2, Pasquale Sacco1
1Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 5, I-34127 Trieste, Italy.
Abstract:
This contribution is aimed at extending our previous findings on the formation and stability of chitosan/hyaluronan-based complex coacervates. Colloids are herewith formed by harnessing electrostatic interactions between the two polyelectrolytes. The presence of tiny amounts of the multivalent anion tripolyphosphate (TPP) in the protocol synthesis serves as an adjuvant "point-like" cross-linker for chitosan. Hydrochloride chitosans at different viscosity average molar mass, , in the range 10,000-400,000 g/mol, and fraction of acetylated units, FA, (0.16, 0.46 and 0.63) were selected to fabricate a large library of formulations. Concepts such as coacervate size, surface charge and homogeneity in relation to chitosan variables are herein disclosed. The stability of coacervates in Phosphate Buffered Saline (PBS) was verified by means of scattering techniques, i.e., Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) and Small-Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS). The conclusions from this set of experiments are the following: (i) a subtle equilibrium between chitosan FA and does exist in ensuring colloidal stability; (ii) once diluted in PBS, osmotic swelling-driven forces trigger the enlargement of the polymeric mesh with an ensuing increase of coacervate size and porosity.
More Related Videos
12:22Synthesis of Thermogelling PolyN-isopropylacrylamide-graft-chondroitin Sulfate Composites with Alginate Microparticles for Tissue Engineering
Published on: October 26, 2016
05:26Fabrication of Size-Controlled and Emulsion-Free Chitosan-Genipin Microgels for Tissue Engineering Applications
Published on: April 13, 2022
Related Concept Videos
Complexation Equilibria: Factors Influencing Stability of Complexes
Complexation Equilibria: The Chelate Effect
Complexation Equilibria: Overview
The equilibrium constant of the complexation reaction is represented as the formation constant...
Glycosaminoglycans
GAGS are found in the extracellular matrix of vertebrates, invertebrates, and bacteria. Due to their polar nature they attract water, and serve as excellent lubricants or shock absorbers in an animal body.
Hyaluronic...
Colloids
Colloidal precipitates