Size-exclusion chromatography (HPLC-SEC) technique optimization by simplex method to estimate molecular weight distribution of agave fructans

Inulin from halophilic archaeon Haloarcula: Production, chemical characterization, biological, and technological properties

Halophilic archaea are capable of producing fructans, which are fructose-based polysaccharides. However, their biochemical characterization and biological and technological properties have been scarcely studied. The aim of this study was to evaluate the production, chemical characterization, biological and technological properties of a fructan inulin-type biosynthesized by a halophilic archaeon. Fructan extraction was performed through ethanol precipitation and purification by diafiltration. The chemical structure was elucidated using Fourier Transform-Infrared Spectroscopy and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR). Haloarcula sp. M1 biosynthesizes inulin with an average molecular weight of 8.37 × 106 Da. The maximal production reached 3.9 g of inulin per liter of culture within seven days. The glass transition temperature of inulin was measured at 138.85 °C, and it exhibited an emulsifying index of 36.47 %, which is higher than that of inulin derived from chicory. Inulin from Haloarcula sp. M1 (InuH) demonstrates prebiotic capacity. This study represents the first report on the biological and technological properties of inulin derived from halophilic archaea.

Effect of Operating Conditions and Fructans Size Distribution on Tight Ultrafiltration Process for Agave Fructans Fractionation: Optimization and Modeling

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of operating conditions and fructans size distribution on the tight Ultrafiltration process for agave fructans fractionation. A mathematical model of limiting mass flux transfer was used to represent the profile of concentrations over time at the outlet of a pilot scale ultrafiltration system. First, a Box-Behnken experimental design was performed for the optimization of the parameters that determine the operating conditions in their respective ranges: temperature, 30−60 °C; transmembrane pressure (TMP), 1−5 bar and feed concentration, 50−150 kg∙m−3, on the separation factor (SF) and permeate flux. Then, the validation of the model for different fructans size distribution was carried out. The results showed that for SF, the quadratic terms of temperature, TMP and feed concentration were the most significant factors. Statistical analysis revealed that the temperature-concentration interaction has a significant effect (p < 0.005) and that the optimal conditions were: 46.81 °C, 3.27 bar and 85.70 kg∙m−3. The optimized parameters were used to validate the hydrodynamic model; the adjustments conclude that the model, although simplified, is capable of correctly reproducing the experimental data of agave fructans fractionation by a tight ultrafiltration pilot unit. The fractionation process is favored at higher proportions of FOS:Fc in native agave fructans.

Validation of an Analytical Method for the Simultaneous Determination of Hyaluronic Acid Concentration and Molecular Weight by Size-Exclusion Chromatography

The hyaluronic acid (HA) global market growth can be attributed to its use in medical, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical applications; thus, it is important to have validated, analytical methods to ensure confidence and security of its use (and to save time and resources). In this work, a size-exclusion chromatography method (HPLC-SEC) was validated to determine the concentration and molecular distribution of HA simultaneously. Analytical curves were developed for concentration and molecular weight in the ranges of 100-1000 mg/L and 0.011-2.200 MDa, respectively. The HPLC-SEC method showed repeatability and reproducibility greater than 98% and limits of detection and quantification of 12 and 42 mg/L, respectively, and was successfully applied to the analysis of HA from a bacterial culture, as well as cosmetic, and pharmaceutical products.

Physicochemical characterization and the hypoglycemia effects of polysaccharide isolated from Passiflora edulis Sims peel

One polysaccharide, designated as WPEP-A, was isolated from Passiflora edulis Sims peel and its hypoglycemic effects on diabetic db/db mice were evaluated. Physicochemical characterization showed that WPEP-A was composed of galactose, glucose, xylose, rhamnose, galacturonic acid and glucuronic acid with a molecular weight of 9.51 × 104 Da. We observed an inhibition in weight gain and blood glucose levels. Glucose tolerance and insulin tolerance improved after the administration of WPEP-A. In addition, our data showed increased antioxidant enzyme activities. Furthermore, the levels of serum insulin and triglyceride decreased with the recovery of liver damage. Meanwhile, positive changes in short chain fatty acid content were observed, and the mRNA levels of glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor, glucagon and prohormone convertase 3 were up-regulated in the intestinal tract. In summary, our results showed that WPEP-A had hypoglycemic activity and improved intestinal function in diabetic mice, which may contribute to the attenuation of the hypoglycemia effects.

Performance Evaluation of Tight Ultrafiltration Membrane Systems at Pilot Scale for Agave Fructans Fractionation and Purification

Ceramic and polymeric membrane systems were compared at the pilot scale for separating agave fructans into different molecular weight fractions that help to diversify them into more specific industrial applications. The effect of the transmembrane pressure of ultrafiltration performance was evaluated through hydraulic permeability, permeate flux and rejection coefficients, using the same operating conditions such as temperature, feed concentration and the molecular weight cut-off (MWCO) of membranes. The fouling phenomenon and the global yield of the process were evaluated in concentration mode. A size distribution analysis of agave fructans is presented and grouped by molecular weight in different fractions. Great differences were found between both systems, since rejection coefficients of 68.6% and 100% for fructans with degrees of polymerization (DP) > 10, 36.3% and 99.3% for fructooligosaccharides (FOS) and 21.4% and 34.2% for mono-disaccharides were obtained for ceramic and polymeric membrane systems, respectively. Thus, ceramic membranes are better for use in the fractionation process since they reached a purity of 42.2% of FOS with a yield of 40.1% in the permeate and 78.23% for fructans with DP > 10 and a yield of 70% in the retentate. Polymeric membranes make for an efficient fructan purification process, eliminating only mono-disaccharides, and reaching a 97.7% purity (considering both fructan fractions) with a yield of 64.3% in the retentate.

Micro- and Nanostructures of Agave Fructans to Stabilize Compounds of High Biological Value via Electrohydrodynamic Processing

This study focuses on the use of high degree of polymerization agave fructans (HDPAF) as a polymer matrix to encapsulate compounds of high biological value within micro- and nanostructures by electrohydrodynamic processing. In this work, β-carotene was selected as a model compound, due to its high sensitivity to temperature, light and oxygen. Ultrafine fibers from HDPAF were obtained via this technology. These fibers showed an increase in fiber diameter when containing β-carotene, an encapsulation efficiency (EE) of 95% and a loading efficiency (LE) of 85%. The thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) showed a 90 °C shift in the β-carotene decomposition temperature with respect to its independent analysis, evidencing the HDPAF thermoprotective effect. Concerning the HDPAF photoprotector effect, only 21% of encapsulated β-carotene was lost after 48 h, while non-encapsulated β-carotene oxidized completely after 24 h. Consequently, fructans could be a feasible alternative to replace synthetic polymers in the encapsulation of compounds of high biological value.

Comparative data of molecular weight distribution of agave fructans fractions using MALDI-ToF and HPLC-SEC

A comparative data of two generally accepted mass techniques for estimate the molecular weight distribution of polysaccharides are presented. The data were obtained from agave fructans samples of different molecular weight, which were analyzed authored independently. The two analytical techniques used were Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-Of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-ToF) and High Pressure Size Exclusion Chromatography (HP-SEC). The data set here are related to the research paper entitled "Size-exclusion chromatography (HPLC-SEC) technique optimization by simplex method to estimate molecular weight distribution of agave fructans" by Moreno-Vilet et al. [1]. This article present the comparative figures as histograms obtained from mathematically processed MALDI-ToF spectra and HPLC-SEC chromatograms. And also, the calculated polymer parameters as number and mass molecular weight, number and mass average degree of polymerization and dispersity index.