664.959:675.12 and N. A. Chirkova** The optimum ratios of gelatin and oxidized chitosan in biopolymer composites were established by studying the viscosity and optical density of solutions of the biopolymers. The study of the sorption properties of films showed that oxidation of chitosan on one hand increases the degree of swelling caused by additional functionalization of the macromolecule of the polysaccharide and on the other, decreases the degree of swelling due to degradation of the polymer chain, up to total dissolution of the films. The biopolymer films obtained with the optimum ratio of components are characterized by the highest degree of swelling.Creating composites and film materials made from them with valuable physicomechanical and pharmacological properties is a promising direction in studies of biopolymer materials [1-3]. Proteins and polysaccharides can be used as the basic components of these composites [1,2]. Products of hydrolysis of collagen (gelatin) which preserve the properties of native collagen and chitosan to a great degree are of practical value. Polysaccharides execute energetic and protective functions in living organisms by participating in cell metabolism. The products of hydrolysis of collagen (PHC) also have the unique properties of proteins, and this allows using them as environmentally safe material in cosmetics. These composites can be of interest in creating new materials from natural polymers of different structure and molecular mass, for practical use in the food industry, cosmetology, and as vehicles for slow-release drugs.The rheological characteristics of biopolymer composites and films made from them were investigated. Aqueous solutions of food-grade gelatin with a concentration of 4% and chitosan (Sonat Co., TU 9289-046-04689375-96) in the form of a 4% solution in 3% acetic acid were used in the study. The molecular mass of the chitosan, determined by viscometry, was 94 kDa and the degree of deacetylation was 89%. Sodium periodate (SP), hydrogen peroxide (HP), and potassium persulfate (PP) were used as oxidants. Chitosan was oxidized at room temperature with the method reported in [4]. The optical density of the solutions was measured at room temperature with the method in [4]. The optical density of the solutions was measured on a KFK-3 spectrophotometer. The dynamic viscosity was investigated on a Brookfield viscometer at a shear rate of 20 sec -1 . The films were made by pouring on glass substrates and drying in air for two days. The kinetics of swelling of the films in water was determined gravimetrically.It was previously found [1] that composites made of PHC and chitosan are compatible in certain regions of ratios of the components while at a PHC:chitosan ratio of 25:75, intermolecular complexes formed.The curve of the viscosity of solutions of oxidized chitosan (OCT) and gelatin in different ratios (Fig. 1) can be used to judge the interaction of these polymers. The observed difference between the experimental curves and the additive curve is probably due to form...
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