Chitosan/“angico” gum nanoparticles: Synthesis and characterization

Polyelectrolyte complex nanoparticles from chitosan (CH) and “angico” gum (AG) were synthesized with average particle size ranging from 18 to 33 nm and monomodal volume distribution. The effect of polymer concentration on particle size and stability was investigated. No flocculation was observed in the range of particle charge ratio (n+/n−) studied. When the same chitosan and “angico” gum solution concentration was used, the higher the polymer concentration, the smaller the particle size. AG/CH nanoparticles were stable for a storage time up to 26 days. By keeping the CH solution concentration at 10 g l− 1 and increasing the AG solution concentration from 0.25 to 10 g l− 1, reduction in particle size was observed for the n+/n− ratios of 0.1, 1.0 and 10.