Application of gel permeation chromatograph-low angle laser light scattering system to kinetic study on degradation of bioerodible polymers.

Data analysis software for gel permeation chromatography coupled with low-angle laser lightscattering photometry (GPC-LALLS) was developed which was especially suitable for kinetic studies of polymer degradation, where the molecular weight of the polymer decreases with time. The GPC-LALLS system developed was applied to a kinetic study on enzymatic degradation of poly-L-glutamic acid.The molecular weight distribution (MWD) could be quickly and easily followed as a function of time by this system.A difference in the MWD time course was clearly shown for the degradations induced by a-chymotrypsin and carboxypeptidase B.The MWD time courses observed in the two cases were interpreted by computer simulation and the degradation mechanism was discussed.This system was found to provide valuable data on the degradation mechanism, and to be useful for evaluation of the degradability of biodegradable polymers.