Self-assembly kinetics of short-chain glucan aggregates (SCGA)

Abstract

Self-assembly (formation and crystallization) kinetics of short-chain glucan aggregates (SCGAs) prepared at isothermal conditions (4, 20, 40, and 60℃) with or without nucleation (4℃, 1 h) were investigated. The fastest formation and crystallization rates of SCGA were observed when short-chain glucan was stored at 4℃ and 20℃, respectively. SCGA was not formed at 60℃. However, nucleation resulted in SCGA forming-ability at 60℃. Moreover, nucleation increased the yield in all temperature conditions. SCGA with nucleation decreased the crystal melting transition temperature range. All SCGAs had nanosized particles (<500 nm) with B-type crystal patterns regardless of temperature and nucleation. Consequently, self-assembly temperature and presence of nucleation step could change the physicochemical characteristics of SCGA, and manipulation of the nucleation step is expected to be an effective method to increase the yield of SCGA and produce SCGA at high temperature.

Keywords: Kinetics; Nucleation; Physicochemical properties; Self-assembly; Short-chain glucan aggregates.