Correlation of SEC/MALLS with ultracentrifuge and viscometric data for chitosans

Eur Biophys J. 2003 Aug;32(5):457-64. doi: 10.1007/s00249-003-0317-8. Epub 2003 Jun 14.

Abstract

Attempts have been made to correlate estimates of molecular weight for a group of cationic polysaccharides known as chitosans between the highly popular technique of size-exclusion chromatography coupled to multi-angle laser light scattering, "SEC-MALLS", and the less convenient but more established technique of sedimentation equilibrium in the analytical ultracentrifuge. Four pharmaceutical grade chitosans of various molecular weights and degrees of acetylation (4-30%) were chosen. Better correlation than previous was achieved, although some batch variability was observed. Despite the broad spectrum in degree of acetylation, a log s degrees(20,w) versus log Mw scaling plot appeared to fit a straight line with power-law exponent b=0.25 +/- 0.04, i.e. between the limits of rod (0.15) and coil (0.4-0.5), although this may be the average of a lower b value at low Mw and higher b at high Mw. With regard to viscosity, a logeta versus logMw scaling plot appeared to also fit a straight line with power-law exponent a=0.96 +/- 0.10, again between the coil (0.5-0.7) and rod (1.8) limits.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Evaluation Study
  • Validation Study

MeSH terms

  • Centrifugation, Density Gradient / methods*
  • Chitin / analogs & derivatives*
  • Chitin / analysis*
  • Chitin / chemistry*
  • Chitin / classification
  • Chitosan
  • Chromatography, Gel / methods*
  • Lasers
  • Molecular Weight*
  • Nephelometry and Turbidimetry / methods*
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Statistics as Topic
  • Ultracentrifugation / methods
  • Viscosity

Substances

  • Chitin
  • Chitosan