Analytical approaches to poly-γ-glutamate: Quantification, molecular size determination, and stereochemistry investigation

Poly-gamma-glutamate, a nylon-like polyamide material typically consisting of both enantiomers of glutamate, exhibits reasonable biodegradability and its multi-functionality is attracting particular attention. Thus, its industrial application as a versatile and chiral polymer is in increasing demands. Poly-gamma-glutamate is presently synthesized using several biocatalysts (e.g., bacterial cells), but the uncontrollable structural diversity of such biosynthesized materials is an area of concern. This review highlights analytical approaches of interest to assure the functional and structural reproducibility of poly-gamma-glutamate. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.