MSc (Botany) / Department of Botany

This thesis, which is a continuation of the previous Bachelor thesis, is dedicated to the study of polyelectrolyte complexes between hyaluronan (HA) and bovine serum albumin (BSA). Interactions between HA and BSA and a formation of complexes were studied by SEC-MALLS method, where a molar mass, a root mean square (rms) radius, a hydronamic radius and an intrinsic viscosity of particles of the system were defined. Furthermore the interactions were studied by calorimetric measurement ITC, where thermodynamic character of complex formation was determined. Additionally, dynamic and electrophoretic light scattering methods (DLS and ELS) were applied, where hydrodynamic radius and a value of the zeta potential were defined. Also the effect of higher temperature on the character and complex formation was examined by SEC-MALLS and ITC measurements. The interactions were confirmed at any of the used media, but with different efficiency. It was also proved that complexes become smaller in their radii and viscosity with growing BSA concentration. Furthermore it was proved, that the high ionic strength hinders surface charges of HA and BSA molecules and minimizes their mutual interactions. At the higher ionic strength the radii of the complexes, their intrinsic viscosity and zeta potential are increased. The higher temperature has only minimal effect on the formation of the complexes.