Dialysis study of hyaluronan-surfactant interactions

This diploma thesis is concentrated on the interactions between polyelectrolyte (hyaluronan) and cationic surfactant (CTAB). The experiments were performed in an aqueous solution and in an environment of physiological ionic strength (0,15mmoldm-3 NaCl). The determination of the surfactant concentration in solutions was based on the formation of colored complexes of CTAB and picric acid in chloroform. The concentrations of surfactant were measured by UV-VIS spectroscopy. The stability of CTAB+HyA was examined by a dialysis method. The results showed that, regardless of the environment, the presence of HyA in solution reduces the number of free molecules of CTAB which can be determined in the sample. It has been proved that there is an interaction between HyA and surfactant and that CTAB has greater affinity for HyA then for the picric acid. The stability of CTAB+HyA was determined by dialysis of 120 hours. After that time, the concentrations of the retentate and permeate were settled. The results showed that in the membrane remains a certain amount of CTAB bounded to hyaluronan. The system can be suitable for the preparation of targeted carriers of biologically active substances