Dear colleagues,
I have purified a natural biopolymer (eumelanin) in my laboratory. I have tried different techniques to find the molecular weight of this biopolymer. Firstly, we completed NMR, FT-IR and XRD analysis of this biopolymer. As a result of these analyzes, we confirmed that our biopolymer is eumelanin. However we could not determine its molecular weight with ESI-MS (Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry). Our data shows that the molecular weight of the Eumelanin polymer is over 150 kDa. Then I decided to determine the molecular weight with GPC (gel permeation chromatography). However experts state that we should only use THF (tetrahydrofuran) or DMAC (Dimethylacetamide) as the solvent. This natural biopolymer can only be dissolved in alkaline solvents and with DMSO (Dimethyl sulfoxide). Can the solution prepared with DMSO be diluted with THF? Is this method a risk for the device? In addition, can we determine the molecular weight of this biopolymer with MALDI TOF MS?
I would be very pleased if you share your knowledge and experience on this matter.
Thanks for your attention and helpings.
Best regards.
- Badges
- Science topic