Effect of soluble polysaccharides addition on rheological properties and microstructure of chitin nanocrystal aqueous dispersions

Mixtures of chitin nanocrystal aqueous dispersions (at pH 3.0) with soluble polysaccharides of varying molecular features were examined rheologically and microscopically, under different conditions of biopolymer concentration, ionic strength, pH and temperature. The addition of non-adsorbing polysaccharides (guar gum, locust bean gum and xanthan) as well as oppositely charged (κ-carrageenan) to a chitin nanocrystal dispersion, resulted in a network formation and the gel strength increased with the chitin nanocrystal concentration. In contrast, the chitin nanocrystal - chitosan or - pullulan mixed dispersions did not show any network formation (tanδ > 1) at the concentration range examined. An increase in ionic strength and pH also resulted in an enhanced elasticity of the chitin nanocrystal-guar gum dispersions. Furthermore, an increase in the elastic modulus, which was irreversible upon cooling, was observed upon heating the chitin nanocrystal-polysaccharide mixed dispersions.