Molecular Weight Characterization and Structural Properties of Controlled Molecular Weight Dextrans Synthesized by Acceptor Reaction using Highly Purified Dextransucrase

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Abstract
Controlled molecular weight dextrans were synthesized using a highly purified dextransucrase from Leuconostoc mesenteroides NRRL B-512F in a multi-step process. Maltose was used as acceptor for the first reaction step. The purified product obtained at a given reaction step was used as acceptor for the next reaction step. Dextrans of molecular weights ranging from 1,000 to 100,000 were thus obtained with a good yield (80 %). After purification, the molecular weight distribution of the products was characterized using size exclusion chromatography coupled with low angle laser light scattering (LALLS). Polydispersity of the products was shown to be similar to that of commerical dextrans. 13C NMR spectra and enzymatic hydrolysis data are consistent with the fact that the enzymatically synthesized dextrans are essentially composed of α(1->6) linkages. It was observed that controlled molecular weight dextrans were less branched than commercial products obtained by acidic hydrolysis of high molecular weight dextrans.