Synthesis, characterization and biodegradability of a water-soluble poly(ethylene oxide) derivative polymer bearing carboxylic acid side chain function

A water-soluble poly(ethylene oxide) derivative polymer bearing carboxylic acid side chain function was synthesized and characterized by elemental ana lysis, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrar ed spectroscopy. Gel permeation chromatography (GPC) results indicated a na rrow molecular weight distribution but could not give the absolute molecula r weight. However, the electrospray mass spectrometry data indicated a mole cular mass of 5500 for the polymer. Using GPC molecular weight distribution s, we have been able to study the biodegradability of the polymer by papain and proteinase A in a buffer at pH 7.81 and at a temperature of 37 degrees C. Both endopeptidase enzymes were active in the degradation of the polymer but at a very low rate. However, proteinase A showed continuous activity u p to 48 hours, whereas the papain effect seemed to culminate after 24 hours .