Aggregation and weak gel formation by pectic polysaccharide homogalacturonan.
Carbohydr Polym
; 256: 117566, 2021 Mar 15.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-33483067
ABSTRACT
This study presents a novel model of homogalacturonan (HG) based on the dissipative particle dynamics (DPD). The model was applied to investigate the mechanism of self-aggregation of low-methoxylated homogalacturonan in aqueous solutions in the absence of cations. The coarse-grained model provided new insights into the structural features of HG aggregates and networks in aqueous solutions. Depending on the properties and concentration of polysaccharides, two major patterns of self-assembly were observed for HG - ellipsoidal aggregates and a continuous three-dimensional network. Simulations showed that a decrease in the degree of dissociation of HG results in a higher rate of self-aggregation, as well as facilitating the formation of larger assemblies or thicker nanofilaments depending on the type of final self-assembly. Simulations of polysaccharides of different chain lengths suggested the existence of a structural threshold for the formation of a spatial network for HG consisting of less than 35 GalA units.
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Texto completo:
1
Banco de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Polisacáridos
/
Pectinas
/
Ácidos Hexurónicos
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Carbohydr Polym
Año:
2021
Tipo del documento:
Article