The phase behavior of aqueous systems containing hyaluronan, at concentrations between 2 and 100 mg/L, and oppositely charged surfactants was investigated. A fluorescence probe technique revealed the formation of micellar structures on the hyaluronan in homogeneous systems well below the surfactant standard, critical, micellar concentration. Moreover, regions of gel-phase separation were revealed. A detailed phase diagram was, thus, constructed in the very diluted region and the hyaluronan concentration was found to be the main parameter controlling the phase behavior, in contrast to the charge ratio. The stability of hyaluronan-surfactant aggregates in the homogeneous systems while in storage at 4 °C (up to three months), against dilution, salt addition and on heating-cooling (between 10 and 50 °C) was also investigated. The aggregates were stable while in storage or upon increasing and decreasing the temperature. The dilution of hyaluronan-surfactant complexes or the addition of 0.15 M NaCl led to their disintegration. Finally, systems prepared in a 0.15 M NaCl solution showed that interactions are suppressed and no aggregation below the standard critical micellar concentration was observed.
Keywords: Hyaluronan; Interactions; Surfactants.
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