SAXS-based study of crosslinking homogeneity in bio-based complexes prepared via the Maillard reaction between cationic polyelectrolytes and fructose

The physical structure of cationic-polyelectrolyte/fructose complexes crosslinked by the Maillard reaction were evaluated by X-ray scattering. Wide- and small-angle X-ray scattering (WAXS and SAXS, respectively) analyses indicated amorphous and highly homogeneous structures. Notably, the epsilon-poly-L-lysine(epsilon-PL)/fructose complex displayed the highest homogeneity in the quantitative analysis using the Debye-Bueche function. This high homogeneity contributed to the good mechanical toughness of the complex. Additionally, the intrinsic homogeneity of the epsilon-PL/fructose complex was evaluated by SAXS under uniaxial stretching. The uniform SAXS pattern suggested a substantially homogeneous crosslinked structure, like that of materials specifically designed to have high homogeneity. This finding could explain the good mechanical properties of the epsilon-PL/fructose complex, and the potential of the Maillard reaction as a highly homogeneous, safe, and environmentally friendly crosslinking reaction.

Automated summary

The physical structure of cationic-polyelectrolyte/fructose complexes crosslinked by the Maillard reaction was investigated. The complexes showed amorphous and highly homogeneous structures according to the wide- and small-angle X-ray scattering analyses. The ε-poly-L-lysine/fructose complex exhibited the highest homogeneity and good mechanical toughness, which can be attributed to its intrinsic homogeneity and crosslinked structure.