Analysis of Hyaluronic Acid

Introduction

Hyaluronic acid is an acidic mucopolysaccharide in which D-N-acetylglucosamine and D-gluconic acid are alternately bonded, and is known to be distributed throughout the body in tissues such as the skin, tendons, muscles, cartilage, blood vessels and brain; with a molecular weight in excess of 1,000,000. Since hyaluronic acid exists naturally in living organisms, its high biocompatibility is of interest, and it has been used in applications such as surgical procedures. Since hyaluronic acid gradually degrades in vivo, there is a growing need for hyaluronic acids with higher molecular weights, which remain effective for longer periods. Hyaluronic acid also has a high moisturizing effect, and thus is used as a cosmetic additive. Here, we would like to introduce examples of the use of size-exclusion chromatography in the analysis of hyaluronic acid.

June 16, 2005 GMT