Challenges for the modern analytical ultracentrifuge analysis of polysaccharides

This article reviews some of the recent advances in analytical ultracentrifugation and how these advances have impacted--and can impact--on our understanding of the size, shape through conformation modelling, interactions and charge properties of polysaccharides in solution, particularly when used in combination with other solution techniques and also imaging techniques. Specifically we look at (1) polysaccharide polydispersity and simple shape analysis by sedimentation velocity, and in particular using new approaches such as SEDFIT analysis; (2) polysaccharide molecular-weight analysis by sedimentation equilibrium and MSTAR analysis and how this complements analysis of size exclusion chromatography coupled to multi-angle laser light scattering; (3) polysaccharide conformation analysis using traditional procedures such as the Wales-van Holde ratio, power law or 'scaling' relations, more specialised treatments for rigid cylindrical structures, semi-flexible chains and worm-like coils and complications through draining effects; (4) Analysis of polysaccharide interactions and in particular complex formation phenomena, focusing on interesting applications in the areas of mucoadhesion and sedimentation fingerprinting; and (5) the possibilities for macromolecular charge and charge screening measurement.

Development of a new drug carrier made from alginate

A new approach for the preparation of nanoparticles is presented. The method is based on control of the gelification phenomenon of alginate by calcium ions, and it leads to small particles of a wide range of very well-defined sizes (250-850 nm) depending on the alignate concentration. The particles are formed in a sodium alginate solution by addition of calcium chloride and then poly-L-lysine. The concentrations of sodium alginate and of calcium chloride were lower than those required for gel formation and corresponded to the formation of a pregel state. The size of the particles formed is greatly dependent on the order of addition of calcium and poly-L-lysine to the sodium alginate solution. This phenomenon can be attributed to the difference in the nature of the interactions between calcium and alginate and between poly-L-lysine and alginate. Furthermore, the data indicate that the formation of the particles probably occurs during the addition of the first component to the sodium alginate solution. Evaluation of the drug-loading capacity was done with doxorubicin as a drug model. The results indicate that alginate nanoparticles are interesting carriers because the drug-loading capacity could be > 50 mg of doxorubicin per 100 mg of alginate.