Self-assembly kinetics of short-chain glucan aggregates (SCGA).

• Self-assembly kinetics of SCGA were temperature-dependent. • Yield and particle size were decreased with increasing temperature. • Fastest formation and crystallization rates were observed at 4 and 20℃, respectively. • Nucleation enabled the formation of SCGA at 60℃. • Temperature and nucleation changed the physicochemical properties of SCGA. Self-assembly (formation and crystallization) kinetics of short-chain glucan aggregates (SCGAs) prepared at isothermal conditions (4, 20, 40, and 60℃) with or without nucleation (4℃, 1 h) were investigated. The fastest formation and crystallization rates of SCGA were observed when short-chain glucan was stored at 4℃ and 20℃, respectively. SCGA was not formed at 60℃. However, nucleation resulted in SCGA forming-ability at 60℃. Moreover, nucleation increased the yield in all temperature conditions. SCGA with nucleation decreased the crystal melting transition temperature range. All SCGAs had nanosized particles (<500 nm) with B-type crystal patterns regardless of temperature and nucleation. Consequently, self-assembly temperature and presence of nucleation step could change the physicochemical characteristics of SCGA, and manipulation of the nucleation step is expected to be an effective method to increase the yield of SCGA and produce SCGA at high temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]