Preparation of hydrogel with chitosan and plantago major seed mucilage by complex coacervation

In this study, the complex coacervation of plantago major seed mucilage (PSM) and chitosan (CHI), two oppositely charged polysaccharides, was studied as a function of pH (8.0-2.0). Biopolymers concentration 1% and PSM:CHI ratio (10:90 to 90:10), according to electrical conductivity (EC) and turbidity analyses. The solution containing 1% biopolymers with PSM:CHI ratio of 85:15 resulted in maximum complex coacervation at the pHopt 3.7. The EC of biopolymers solutions increased by decreasing pH. The aforementioned optimum condition resulted coacervates with maximum particles size (7 μm) and minimum ζ-potential (+5.5 mV), which were observed as densely agglomerated macro-complexes with highest coacervation yield (87%). These hydrogels be useful for encapsulation and delivery of drugs and (bio-) active compounds.