CHITOSAN-CHONDROITIN SULFATE AND CHITOSAN-HYALURONATE POLYELECTROLYTECOMPLEXES - PHYSICOCHEMICAL ASPECTS

When fully deacetylated chitosan is contacted in solution with chondro itin sulfates and hyaluronic acid, pure polyelectrolyte complexes are formed. pH and conductometric measurements, as well as Fourier-transfo rm infra-red spectrometry or X-ray diffraction allow us to demonstrate that strong electrostatic interactions take place between the -NH3(+) functions of chitosan and the -OSO3(-) and/or the -COO- groups of the two other GAG's studied. These complexes are formed even in acidic me dia and then, are quite stable whatever the pH. Copyright (C) 1996 Els evier Science Ltd