Transport properties of aqueous solutions of calcium lactate in the absence and presence of β-cyclodextrin

Abstract

Mutual diffusion coefficients and electrical conductivity of a well-known food additive and supplement, or excipient in pharmaceutical formulations, calcium lactate, have been measured in the absence and presence of β-cyclodextrin in aqueous solutions, at 298.15 K. The dependence of conductivity on concentration has been analysed using the Fuoss–Edelson method. The values of the Nernst diffusion coefficients, for binary solutions, derived from conductance and from diffusion experiments are in good agreement. The presence of β-cyclodextrin leads to a non-expected effect on the transport properties of the aqueous solutions of calcium lactate. These data have been justified with help of 1H NMR spectroscopy. The effect on the water structure, reducing the hydration shell of lactate, is argued. This leads to an increase of the effective concentration of calcium lactate in solution contributing to an increase in the diffusion coefficients and a decrease in the dependence of the electrical conductance on the concentration.