Polymers are mixed systems of homologues of different molecular weights. This heterogeneity in molecular weight is called the polydispersity of polymers. The physical properties and behavior of polymers and polysaccharides are highly dependent on the properties of the molecules, including molecular weight, molecular weight distribution, molecular size, and structure. CD BioGlyco is committed to helping clients accurately characterize the molecular weight, size, intrinsic viscosity, and other characteristics of polysaccharide-based biodegradable biomaterials through gel permeation chromatography (GPC) with refractive index detectors (DRI)-multi-angle light scattering detection (MALS) analysis.

GPC-DRI-MALS Analysis

GPC, also known as size exclusion chromatography (SEC), is a technique widely used to characterize different types of macromolecules, ranging from natural polymers to bulk manufactured materials, and is now one of the most important methods for determining the size and distribution of polymer molecular weights. MALS measures absolute molecular weight independent of column calibration. The combination of light scattering and DRI with the GPC allows for the detailed characterization of natural and synthetic polymer samples.

When the GPC-DRI-MALS is used in combination, the GPC instrument elutes the polymers in solution in order of molecular hydrodynamic volume, allowing the determination of single polymers and mixtures of polymers. The use of MALS allows direct measurement of molecular weight and its distribution. Several instruments complement each other, not only to measure the absolute molecular weight but also to resolve the composition of the sample and obtain information on molecular conformation and aggregation states.

Fig.1 Monovalent conjugate (MVC) Mw distribution on SEC-MALS: (a) ST-1 MVC; (b) ST-4 MVC. (Deng, et al., 2022)

GPC-DRI-MALS Analysis of Polysaccharide-based Biodegradable Material at CD BioGlyco

The size and distribution of molecular weight are important indicators for evaluating the value and quality control of polysaccharides. We have established efficient methods for the Chemical Characterization of Polysaccharide-based Biodegradable Materials, including using GPC-DRI-MALS for molecular weight determination and analysis. We measure the molecular weight and molecular weight distribution of polysaccharides according to the properties of the Carbohydrate-based Biodegradable Materials and the purpose of the test, for polysaccharide quality control or to determine polysaccharide homogeneity.

• Characterization of polysaccharide-based materials in terms of molar mass, size, and conjugation ratio.
• Measurement of the intrinsic viscosity (IV) of polysaccharide-based materials.
• Measurement of the hydrodynamic radius (R_H) of polysaccharide-based materials.
• Rapid and accurate direct determination of the absolute molecular weight of polysaccharide-based materials, including weight-average molecular weight (Mw), number-average molecular weight (Mn), Z-average molecular weight (Mz), and detection of molecular weight distribution, without the use of standards as calibration curves.
• Analysis of the dispersity (Mw/Mn) of polysaccharide-based materials.
• Analysis of structural characteristics such as the extent of branching.
• Assessment of the molecular conformation and acquisition of information on the aggregation state (rod, irregular nematic, or spherical) of the polysaccharide-based materials.

As a leader in the biomedical and advanced materials industries, CD BioGlyco provides clients with high-quality Polysaccharide-based Biodegradable Material Characterization services. Our GPC-DRI-MALS analysis helps you evaluate the properties of polymers, whether they are natural materials such as starch and cellulose, or chemically synthesized polysaccharide-based materials.

If you are interested in our business, please feel free to contact us for more details.