Microbial (1->3)-beta-D-glucans, their preparation, physico-chemical characterization and immunomodulatory activity

In order to obtain multicomponent polymer systems exhibiting biological activity, microcrystalline cellulose was used as a matrix for biologically active compounds, such as dimethylbenzylalkylammonium chloride, poly-N-vinylpyrrolidone, copolymer of Nvinylpyrrolidone and crotonic acid, and polymer complex of dimethylbenzylalkylammonium chloride with copolymer of N-vinylpyrrolidone and crotonic acid. Adsorption interaction of microcrystalline cellulose with these compounds was studied under various conditions. Adsorption isotherms of compounds of polymer nature are of similar character and are described by the Freundlich equation. The isotherms of the low molecular weight compound dimethylbenzylalkylammonium are described by the Langmuir equation. Characteristics of the resulting compounds were obtained using X-ray photoelectron and infrared Fourier spectroscopy, wide-angle X-ray diffractometry and scanning electron microscopy. Chemical interaction between microcrystalline cellulose and dimethylbenzylalkylammonium chloride takes place. This interaction leads to a new labile morphological cellulose structure accessible to penetration, which is confirmed at a morphological level by scanning electron microscopy.