Project Number: 6621-41000-011-03
Project Type: Nonfunded Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: Jan 01, 2009
End Date: Dec 31, 2011

Objective:
Determine the effect of a non-random distribution of polyelectrolyte charge density in a series of pectins with a decreasing degree of methylation on the electrical properties and stability of suspensions of charged oxide particles. These properties will be compared to a similar pectin demethylation series that contains randomly distributed charge density for potential development of industrial products.

Approach:
Pectin demethylation series will be produced using the salt independent pectin methylesterase (PME) from citrus and a commercial fungal PME. The effect of ordered vs. random charge density distributions on the stability and electrical properties of a suspension containing oppositely charged particles with ionizable surfaces will be examined. Electric light scattering and electrophoresis will be employed to follow the behavior of a ß-FeOOH suspension as a function of pectin concentration, degree of esterification and charge distribution type.