Conversion of hyaluronan (HA) to its beta-cyclodextrin derivative (HA-beta-
CD) was accomplished by direct coupling of beta-cyclodextrin (beta-CD) mole
cules with carboxylic acid groups of the HA macromolecule. The intermolecul
ar dehydration, yielding the HA-beta-CD derivative, was performed by the ac
tion of diethyl azodicarboxylate and triphenylphosphine under mild, neutral
conditions. The physico-chemical characteristics of the novel (bio)materia
l, determined both in solution and solid state, were compared with those of
native HA. The specific action of a hyaluronidase was exploited to advanta
ge in studying the depolymerization kinetics of the two types (HA and HA-be
ta-CD) of macrobiomolecules. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights rese
rved.