Description
Polysucrose™ 400 is a synthetic high molecular weight polymer made by the copolymerization of sucrose and epichlorohydrin. The molecules have a branched structure with a high content of hydroxyl groups giving a good solubility in aqueous solutions. Concentrations up to 50% (w/v) can easily be obtained. The product is similar to Ficoll® 400.
The reactivity and stability of Polysucrose™ 400 are determined by its hydroxyl groups and the glycosidic bonds in the sucrose residues. Polysucrose™ is stable in alkaline and neutral solutions. At pH values lower than 3, it is rapidly hydrolyzed, especially at elevated temperatures. In neutral solutions, Polysucrose™ 400 can be sterilized by autoclaving at 110°C for 30 minutes without any degradation.
Using sodium metrizoate and a polysaccharide Bøyum (1968) developed a one-step centrifugal technique for isolation of lymphocytes (Lymphoprep™). In this method the polysaccharide aggregates the erythrocytes, thereby increasing their sedimentation rate. Polysucrose ™ 400 has also been used as a density gradient medium for the purification of other cells and in membrane fractionation. Non-ionic high molecular weight solutes such as polysucrose are required for a number of other research scenarios.
Polysucrose™ 400 specifications:
- Average molecular weight (Mw): 450,000 ± 100,000
- Loss on drying (%): <5.0%
- pH (10% w/v aqueous solution): 7.0 –9.0
- Content of chloride (ppm): <500 ppm
- Microbiological contamination: <100 CFU/g
Polysucrose™ 400 is the ideal medium for:
- Acting as a stabilizing agent in protein solutions
- Functioning as an immunologically inert carrier for low molecular weight haptens in immunological studies
- Reducing non-specific binding of labelled probes to nitrocellulose membranes during nucleic acid hybridization
- Simplifying the loading of nucleic acids into the sample wells of agarose gels for electrophoresis
Technical data:
- Specific optical rotation: (alpha)subscript D,20: 53 - 59 degrees
- Intrinsic viscosity (20 degrees C): 0.14 - 0.20
- Average molecular weight (Mw): 450,000 ± 100,000
- Mw distribution by GPC: conforms to standard
- Loss on drying: <5.0%
- pH (10% w/v aqueous solution): 7.0 - 9.0
- Sulphated ash: <0.3%
- Content of chloride: <500 ppm
- Microbiological contamination: <100 CFU/g; <10 yeasts and mould/gram
