β-1,3-Glucan synthesis, novel supramolecular self-assembly, characterization and application
Robert Pylkkänen, Pezhman Mohammadi, Ville Liljeström, Wojciech Płaziński, Grégory Beaune, Jaakko V. I. Timonen, Merja Penttilä
Abstract
1,3BGP) by fine-tuning solution conditions during particle nucleation and growth. We report a synthesis of interconnected parallel hexagonal lamellae composed of 8 nm thick sheets of highly expanded paracrystals. The architecture consists of β-1,3-glucan triple-helices with considerable inter-intra hydrogen bonding within, as well as in between adjacent triple-helices. The results extend our understanding of β-1,3-glucan molecular organization and shed light on different aspects of the crystallization processes of biomolecules into structures unseen by nature. The presented versatile synthesis yields new materials for diverse medical and industrial applications.