Complex coacervate phase, total solids

The curve in figure 1 extends from pH 2.8 to 4.7, the pH range over which this mixture forms a complex coacervate. At lower or higher pH values, no coacervate forms and the system exists as a homogeneous solution. The solids content of the coacervate and equilibrium liquid phases converge as these pH limits are approached. Between the pH limits of coacervation, the total solids content of the coacervate phases passes through a maximum of 23 percent. This maximum coacervate solids content occurs between pH... 

Complex Coacervation Procedures. Gelatin/alginate (G/A), gelatin/ polyphosphate (G/P), and gelatin/gum arabic (G/GA) complex coacervate and supernatant phases were used in this study. G/A complex coacervate and supernatant phases were formed at pH 4.2 with a 3.7 1 (w/w) mixture of gelatin (227 bloom) and sodium alginate (total solids 1.8 wt. percent). G/P complex coacervate and supernatant phases were formed at pH 4.4 with a 9 1 (w/w) mixture of gelatin (283 bloom) and polyphosphate (total solids ... 

Table I. Total Solids Content of Complex Coacervate and Supernatant Phases...

Figure 1 is a plot of total solids content versus pH for a 4.4 percent gelatin (275 bloom) - 0.48 percent polyphosphate mixture. The continous curve shown encloses the region in which complex coacervation occurs and two phases coexist. These two phases are a polymer-rich phase called the complex coacervate and a more dilute phase called the equilibrium liquid. The straight line that divides the curve into two parts is the total solids content of the mixture before coacervation (4.88 percent). Points that fall above this line (open circles) are total solids contents of the coacervate at various pH values. Points below this line (solid circles) are corresponding total solids contents for the equilibrium liquid. 

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