| Abstract: | The potentiometric titration of poly(L -glutamic acid) was performed under conditions of varied ionic strength and concentration of added divalent cations. From these titration curves, the amount of divalent cations, especially magnesium, bound to poly(L -glutamic acid) was determined using a new method of analysis based on polyelectrolyte theory. By comparison with the polyelectrolyte, poly(acrylic acid), it was found that there are no specific interactions between metal ion and poly(L -glutamic acid) in either the helical or random coil conformation. The effect of these divalent cations on the conformation of poly(L -glutamic acid) was also discussed. |
