Molecular characterization of commercial pectins by separation with linearmix gel permeation columns in-line with multi-angle light scattering detection

Four commercial pectins with different degrees of esterification were analy zed by gel permeation chromatography in-line with multi-angle light scatter ing and refractive index detectors. Molecular weight distributions and root mean square radii were calculated after elution under different conditions (i.e. mobile phases, flow rates and amounts of pectin injected). Pectins w ere polydisperse with respect to molecular weight. The molecular weight dis tribution ranged from 8 x 10(3) to 10(6), depending on the source and was n ot affected by buffer composition or flow rates of separation. The four pec tins had similar values for root-mean square radius of 50 nm. (C) 2000 Else vier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.