Physicochemical properties of aqueous solutions of L-aspartic acid containing chitosan

Abstract

Physicochemical properties of aqueous solutions of L-aspartic acid with and without addition of chitosan have been studied by conductometry, potentiometry, refractometry, tensiometry, and viscosimetry. It has been shown that aspartic acid molecules take a cyclic configuration stabilized by hydrogen bonds in aqueous solution at c > 0.04 g/dL (298 K). The interaction of chitosan with aspartic acid results in the formation of the polymeric salt that dissociates in aqueous solution to give chitosan polycation [~(NH3)+] and aspartate counterions. The addition of chitosan to solutions of L-aspartic acid results in progressive increase in the surface tension, absorbance, and refractive index as well as the change in hydrodynamic properties of the macromolecules. The polymeric salt exhibits polyelectrolyte properties in dilute aqueous solutions. The increase in temperature impairs the thermodynamic quality of the solvent for chitosan leading to the shrinkage of the polymer coils and, hence, to the decrease in the intrinsic viscosity of the system.