The ultrahigh molar masses and broad size ranges of many polysaccharides present a number of characterization challenges. Among these is the analytes’ propensity for on-column, flow-induced degradation during size-exclusion and, even, hydrodynamic chromatographic characterization. To date, this problem has been addressed employing asymmetric flow field-flow fractionation. However, a more sensitive technique, with less propensity for system overloading and analyte aggregation, is hollow-fiber flow field-flow fractionation (HF5). Here, we demonstrate how the online coupling of HF5 to multi-angle static light scattering (MALS) and differential refractometry (DRI) detection can benefit the field of polysaccharides. The HF5/MALS/DRI method was applied to the characterization of a variety of dextrans, pullulans, and larch arabinogalactan, to determine molar mass averages and dispersities and molar mass profiles continuously across the analytes’ fractograms. The multi-detector fractionation results were augmented by off-line quasi-elastic light scattering determination of the hydrodynamic radii (Rh) of the polysaccharides, as well as from Rh distributions determined employing simulations analysis.<br/>

Multi-detector Hollow-Fiber Flow Field-Flow Fractionation (HF5) of polysaccharides

254th National Meeting (2017)

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