Abstract
In order to determine the effect of different gelation temperatures (80 °C and 90 °C) on the structural arrangements in 1,3-β-d-glucan (curdlan) matrices, spectroscopic and microscopic approaches were chosen. Attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR FT-IR) and Raman spectroscopy are well-established techniques that enable the identification of functional groups in organic molecules based on their vibration modes. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) is a quantitative analytical method utilized in the surface study, which provided information about the elemental and chemical composition with high surface sensitivity. Contact angle goniometer was applied to evaluate surface wettability and surface free energy of the matrices. In turn, the surface topography characterization was obtained with the use of atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Described techniques may facilitate the optimization, modification, and design of manufacturing processes (such as the temperature of gelation in the case of the studied 1,3-β-d-glucan) of the organic polysaccharide matrices so as to obtain biomaterials with desired characteristics and wide range of biomedical applications, e.g., entrapment of drugs or production of biomaterials for tissue regeneration. This study shows that the 1,3-β-d-glucan polymer sample gelled at 80 °C has a distinctly different structure than the matrix gelled at 90 °C.
Highlights
Natural polymers are an extremely diverse class of molecules of high complexity consisting of repeating units
No significant alterations in corresponding second derivative function (Figure 3F) have been found. These results indicate a totally different molecular organization of curdlan gelled at 80 ◦ C in comparison with 90 ◦ C samples
Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and Raman spectroscopies are efficient techniques in providing direct and detailed data about the molecular and chemical composition of biological specimens [45,46,47]. They are very helpful in understanding and explaining biological processes, especially at the molecular level [48]. These vibrational spectroscopies are commonly used as complementary techniques for the structural analysis of various polysaccharides [49], so they will be immensely useful in curdlan research
Summary
Natural polymers are an extremely diverse class of molecules of high complexity consisting of repeating units. The most important and most numerous in nature of them are proteins, poly(nucleic acids) and polysaccharides characterized by a huge variety [1]. Glucans are a group of polysaccharides consisting of d-glucose monomers linked by glycosidic bonds [2]. They are found both in prokaryotes and eukaryotes and comprise the linear or side-chain branched (1→3, 1→2) and.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 
Published Version (
Free)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call