Analytical methods for hyaluronan

This thesis deals with of simple methods for determining the concentration of hyaluronan in aqueous solution and compares the performance of each selected methods such as UV -VIS spectroscopy, IR spectroscopy and the method of determination by alcian blue. These methods were chosen for their simplicity and low cost of the assay. As the most reliable of these three methods, seems to be the method of IR spectroscopy. Determination of the concentration of HA by this method is relatively accurate at concentrations above 0.4 % in deionized water. The method of UV-VIS spectroscopy is based on a linear calibration curve determination, but no characteristic peak was detected, which means that this determination could be influenced by other components of the aqueous solution. Weak ionic strength and molecular weight of HA does not affect the determination. In the method with alcian blue, the results were quite unsatisfactory and does not correspond with the literature. Therefore, this method is not applicable in this form for determining the concentration of HA. Another option for determining the concentration of the HA is ELISA method. These are commercially produced kits suitable for determining low concentrations in low volumes. Its price is higher than the above- mentioned methods