Sorption of components from a mixture of odorants by polysaccharides of starch, chitosan, and carrageenan

Sorption of components from a mixture of odorants in aqueous suspensions of native cornstarch, chitosan, and carrageenan was studied by the method of capillary gas-liquid chromatography. Binding was primarily effected via hydrophobic cooperative interactions. The amount of sorbed odorants depended linearly on their initial concentration in the suspension. The differences in sorption characteristics of starch and chitosan were related to the presence of amino groups in the latter polysaccharide, which contributed to an increased binding of aldehydes via polar interactions. Sorption of odorants by the sulfated polysaccharide carrageenan largely depended on the structure of odorants and properties of their functional groups. Carrageenan was potent in binding aldehydes, ketones, and esters. Alcohols were less strongly bound to this polysaccharide. Sorption of lactones and guaiacol by carrageenan was the least significant.