An analytical methodology with mass spectrometry as the core technique was developed for precise characterization of end groups, size, and co-monomeric composition of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) copolymers, as a preliminary step to qualify their biodegradability. Four PLGA samples were studied, with GA molar content varying from 0 to 50% and Mw ranging from 18 to 75 kg mol-1 according to the supplier. Size exclusion chromatography (SEC) and liquid state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) were used as either complementary or validation techniques. As confirmed by tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) experiments, macrocycles were most prominent in the low mass range. Nevertheless, elemental compositions derived from high resolution (HR) mass measurements of linear species were consistent with chain terminations revealed by NMR. Off-line coupling of SEC with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) permitted calibration curves to be built based on absolute molecular weights and, although slightly overestimated, so-obtained Mn and Mw values compared well with SEC and NMR results. Homogeneity of the co-monomeric content of all chains within each PLGA sample was demonstrated using surface-assisted laser desorption/ionization in a reactive mode (reactive-SALDI), a newly developed technique that takes advantage of residual acid on desorption ionization using through-hole alumina membrane (DIUTHAME) chips to induce dissociation of high-molecular-weight polymers containing cleavable C-O bonds. All HRMS data were best handled with Kendrick analysis, which helped reveal minor species and allowed automated computation of congested mass spectra.
Keywords: MALDI; PLGA; SALDI; biodegradable copolyesters; mass spectrometry.