Rheological properties of schizophyllan in presence of borate ions

The viscoelastic properties of schizophyllan, a neutral fungal polysaccharide, were studied in presence of small amounts of borate ions. We observed the ability to get physical gels as the result of the complexation between the diol sites of the biopolymer and the borate ions, leading to the establishment of a tridimensional network. Kinetic of gelation as well as the influence of physicochemical parameters were studied by way of rheological measurements.