Analysis of polysaccharides by ultracentrifugation. Size, conformation and interactions in solution

The launch of the XL-I analytical ultracentrifuge by Beckman Instruments (Palo Alto, USA) in 1996 and subsequent development of penetrating software for the analysis of the optical records digitally recorded in this new generation instrument has made some exciting possibilities for the analysis of polysaccharides in a solution environment. We review these developments and investigate the application of the technique to the study of polysaccharide polydispersity, molecular weight analysis, conformation and flexibility analysis, the study of associative interactions, including large complex formation phenomena, and to the measurement of charge and charge-shielding phenomena.