Effect of poly(ethylene glycol) on the hydrophobic interactions and rheology of proanthocyanidin biopolymers from Pinus radiata

Abstract

ABSTRACT:The rheology of solutions of extracts from the bark of Pinus radiata was investigated in the presence of poly(ethylene glycol)s (PEGs) of different molecular weights. PEG with a molecular weight of 4600 (1% w/w) was sufficient to reduce the viscosity of a concentrated (40% w/w) pine tannin extract by one order of magnitude. The reduction of the viscosity was due to the inhibition of molecular association via hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions between tannin and PEG and depended on the molecular weight of PEG. PEG effectively reduced the viscosity of polyphenolic tannins but retained high reactivity toward paraformaldehyde for adhesive formulations.

Mechanisms of hydrogel-based microRNA delivery systems and its application strategies in targeting inflammatory diseases

“… 84 Additionally, the ether bond (–O–) on the PEG chain can form strong hydrogen bonds with water, whereas the –CH2–CH2– on the PEG chain makes it hydrophobic; thus, PEG can be dissolved in water and some organic solvents, offering the possibility of PEG synthesis in polar and nonpolar solvents. 85 , 86 The conjugated or noncovalent attachment of PEG molecules to other molecules or nanoparticles is known as PEGylation. 87 PEGylation may enhance biocompatibility and optimize the pharmacokinetic properties of nucleotide drugs.…”