Iodine binding capacity and iodine binding energy of glycogen

Abstract

The iodine binding capacity (IBC) of glycogen is around 0.30% (w/w) at 3°C. The amount of iodine complexed comprises about 12.5% of the mass of glycogen that takes part in the glycogen–iodine (GI) complex formation. This suggests involvement of four iodine atoms for every 25 anhydroglucose units (AGU, C6H10O5). Since the chromophore is due to the I4 unit within the helix of 11 AGUs, only 44% of the AGUs (11 out of 25) are involved in the complex formation. The heat of formation of the GI complex is around −40 kJ/mol of I2 bonded. These results suggest remarkable similarities with those of the amylopectin–iodine (API) complex. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 35: 1409–1412, 1997