Carboxymethyl curdlan

Carboxymethyl curdlan is widely used in the preparation of nanoparticles for biomedical applications. Following the synthesis of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIN) capped with carboxymethyl curdlan for use in cellular and in vivo imaging applications, the stability and dispersibility of SPIN in water were greatly improved with the introduction of the carboxymethyl curdlan moiety. Recently, a green and simple route was proposed to synthesize Ag nanoparticles using carboxymethylcurdlan under UV irradiation. Carboxymethyl curdlan (CM-Curdlan) is prepared by carboxymethylation of highly purified curdlan with chloroacetic acid. Curdlan is a polymer of 1,3-β-linked D-glucosyl residues.

Degree of Carboxymethylation (DS):
~0.4

Enzyme Susceptibility:
Readily hydrolysed by endo-1,3-β-glucanase

Monosaccharides (%):
Glucose

Main Chain Glycosidic Linkage:
β-1,3

Viscosity:
~5dL/g

Source:
Alcaligenes faecaeli

Synonyms:
CM-Curdlan; CM-CUD

CAS No:
114732-86-4

Molecular Formula:
C₁₈H₃₂O₁₆

Molecular Weight:
1,650kD

Appearance:
Light tan powder

Purity:
As reported

Solubility:
Water. To 90ml of vigorously stirring water at 90°C gradually add 0.5g of CM-curdlan. Continue stirring for about 1h (until the polysaccharide is completely dissolved).
Cool the solution to room temperature and add 5ml of sodium acetate buffer (2M, pH 5.0). Adjust the volume to 100ml and store the solution in a well-sealed glass container at 4°C.
For some 1,3-β-glucanases, a higher pH is required for activity; in these cases, substitute an appropriate buffer for the acetate buffer (eg. MOPS).

Storage and Stability:
May be stored at RT.