Sorption of Quillaja saponaria Molina saponin with chitosan under equilibrium conditions.

Equilibrium sorption of saponin from Quillaja saponaria Molina with chitosan has been analyzed. The shape of the sorption isotherm is determined by the competing processes of the glycoside association in the solution and its absorption with chitosan, as evidenced by the calculated absorption and association energies and the curves of chitosan dehydration accompanying the saponin sorption. Analysis of the chitosan surface during the saponin sorption by means of atomic force microscopy has revealed the structure-morphology features depending on the glycoside concentration in the external solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]