Evaluation of polyelectrolyte complexes by means rheological analysis

The occurrance of interaction between the polyanionic sodium alginate and polycationic compuonds (gentamicin, bovine serum albumin, chitosan) was investigated by rheological measurements. Under soluble complex conditions, the interaction was analyzed by evaluating the "electroviscous effect", whereas in the presence of solid complexes it was monitored by determining viscosity modifications in supernatant solutions after the complex removal.