Open AccessPolyelectrolyte Complexes Based on Chitosan and Natural Polymers
Author(s) -
Alef Mustafa,
Aneta Tomescu,
Emin Mustafa,
Melat Cherim,
Rodica Sîrbu
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
european journal of interdisciplinary studies
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2411-958X
pISSN - 2411-4138
DOI - 10.26417/ejis.v2i1.p100-107
Subject(s) - chitosan , polyelectrolyte , biocompatibility , polymer , chemical engineering , biocompatible material , excipient , biodegradation , chemistry , materials science , polymer chemistry , nanotechnology , organic chemistry , chromatography , biomedical engineering , medicine , engineering
For many years chitosan has been the subject of interest for its use in different medical fields due to its appealing properties such as biocompatibility, biodegradability, low toxicity and relatively low production cost from abundant natural sources. Chitosan is positively charged at low pH values, so it is spontaneously associated with negatively charged polyions in solution to form polyelectrolyte complexes. These chitosan based polyelectrolyte complexes exhibit favourable physicochemical properties with preservation of chitosan’s biocompatible characteristics. These chitosan based complexes are a good candidate for excipient materials for the design of different types of dosage forms. The aim of this review is to describe polyelectrolyte complexes of chitosan with selected natural polyanions and also to indicate some of the factors that influence the formation and stability of these formed complexes.