[Comparative study of the IR-spectra of glycosaminoglycans and their monomers]

The infrared spectra of hyaluronic acid (HA), protein chondroitin keratan sulfate (PCKS), aggregates of proteoglycans (AP), glucuronic acid and its potassium salt, glucosamine, galactosamine (both as hydrochlorides), N-acetyl-glucosamine, N-acetyl-galactosamine, ammonium salt of N-acetyl-neuraminic acid were obtained in the region 200--4000 cm-1. It was shown that comparative analysis of the spectra of the monomers and their mixtures with those of HA, PCKS and AP makes it possible to identify more precisely a greater number of absorption bands as compared to that identifiable on examining but the spectra of these biopolymers. The interpretation of the results obtained is presented.