The influence of temperature and pH on the formation of self-aggregates of lecithin and bile salts and nanocellulose

• Grant number: 24/00825-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: October 01, 2024
• End date: May 31, 2028
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Physical-Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Kelly Roberta Francisco Muruci de Paula
• Grantee: Giovana Cristina Zambuzi
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Agrárias (CCA). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). Araras , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Understanding the self-aggregation process, as well as the dynamics of colloidal particles at interfaces, is important in various biological, industrial and technological processes. The parameters related to the size and shape of the aggregates, as well as the energy related to the formation and scission of the structures, are fundamental to understanding the physicochemical properties of the systems, and thus modifying them to better meet the various applications of interest. In this sense, the work plan aims to develop mixed self-aggregated systems formed by bile salts (sodium taurodeoxycholate, sodium deoxycholate and sodium cholate) and soy lecithin, with the addition of nanocellulose (nanocrystals and nanofibrils ) to serve as a platform for encapsulation and controlled release of substances of potential interest. It is also proposed to analyze the influence of pH and temperature on the structuring and morphology of aggregates. Furthermore, rheology, zeta potential, dynamic light scattering (DLS), low-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and cryogenic transmission electron microscopy (Cryo-TEM) techniques will be used to obtain rheological information about the charges. surface and structural data of the mixed aggregates obtained. Previous studies carried out on lecithin and sodium taurodeoxycholate systems with the addition of nanofibrils showed an increase in the system's viscosity values, as well as promoting the formation of more structured aggregates due to the higher values of the storage modulus (G') compared to the modulus loss (G'').