Chromatographic mode transition from size exclusion to slalom chromatography as observed for chitosan

Elution behavior of chitosan was studied using narrow-bore size exclusion chromatography (SEC) columns packed with 8 μm porous particles at different eluent flow rates. Delayed elution of the largest chitosan species from the columns was observed at high flow rates, which was attributable to strong chain deformation rather than chain degradation. In particular, a chromatographic mode transition from SEC to slalom chromatography (SC) was observed for high molar mass chitosan samples with abnormal elution behaviors, which originates from the coil-stretch transition of chitosan chains in elongational flow through the columns. By properly reducing the elongational rate in the columns via tuning the flow rate, particle size and column dimension, the chromatographic mode transition from SEC to SC for chitosan can be effectively suppressed.