The Journal of General Physiology, Vol 14, 215-222,
Copyright © 1930 by The Rockefeller University Press
THE EFFECT OF SALTS ON THE IONISATION OF GELATIN
Kenneth V. Thimann 1
1 From the Kerckhoff Biological Laboratories, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena
The effect of the addition of sodium chloride to gelatin solutions is shown from the Donnan relationship to increase the ionisation of the gelatin, the increase produced in acid solutions reaching a maximum at about 1/1000 molar salt concentration. This effect is attributed to the formation of complex ions.
From the similar action of calcium and copper chlorides the effective combining power of gelatin for complex positive ion formation is deduced. The bearing of complex ion formation on the zwitter-ionic structure and solubility phenomena of proteins is pointed out.
Accepted on August 4, 1930