Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 24, 2025
Structural Characterization of Mannan Cell Wall Polysaccharides in Plants Using PACE
Published on: October 16, 2017
A method for quantitative characterization of incomplete degradation products of polygalacturonic acid
Ting Wang1, Yuheng Tao2, Chenhuan Lai1
1Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Efficient Processing and Utilization of Forest Resources, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China; Key Laboratory of Forestry Genetics & Biotechnology of the Ministry of Education, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China.
Abstract:
Biological activity of incomplete degradation products of polygalacturonic acid (IDPP) is closely related to its molecular weight and molecular weight distribution. Therefore, it is necessary to provide a reliable quantitative characterization method for evaluating these types of bioproducts. A novel method was established in this work for the quantitative characterization of IDPP based upon ethanol fractional precipitation. IDPP was fractionated into several fractions with high recovery (>95%), and the average molecular weights of each fraction was in descending order with the increase of ethanol concentration. Oligosaccharides (polymerization degree: 2-20) could be effectively harvested from the polygalacturonic acid enzymatic hydrolysate by ethanol precipitation. Moreover, the developed method had good repeatability and could also be applied to quantify enzymatic hydrolysis products of citrus-derived pectin polysaccharides. In conclusion, this paper provides a simple, accurate method for the quantitative characterization of IDPP and a strategy for the extraction of oligosaccharides.
