[Thermodynamic characteristics of aqueous solutions of plant glucomannans].

The effect of plant beta-1,4-glucomannanes on the thermodynamic properties of their aqueous solutions was examined. In this context, the coefficients of distribution of the homologous series of marker compounds with a varying length of the side aliphatic chain in the biphase system: n-octanol-polysaccharide aqueous solution were determined, and the free energy required for the transfer of the methylene group from the buffer solution to the polysaccharide solution was calculated. The dependence of this parameter on the polysaccharide concentration was investigated. It is suggested that the factors responsible for the effect of glucomannanes on the properties of their aqueous solutions include the type and configuration of glycoside bonds, chemical nature of monomer components, and, although to a far smaller extent, the molecular mass.