Biocompatible poly-beta-1-4-N-acetylglucosamine

Abstract

The present invention relates to a purified, easily produced poly-β-1→4-N-acetylglucosamine (p-GlcNAc) polysaccharide species. The p-GlcNAc of the invention is a polymer of high molecular weight whose constituent monosaccharide sugars are attached in a β-1→4 conformation, and which is free of proteins, and substantially free of single amino acids, and other organic and inorganic contaminants. In addition, derivatives and reformulations of p-GlcNAc are described. The present invention further relates to methods for the purification of the p-GlcNAc of the invention from microalgae, preferably diatom, starting sources. Still further, the invention relates to methods for the derivatization and reformulation of the p-GlcNAc. Additionally, the present invention relates to the uses of pure p-GlcNAc, its derivatives, and/or its reformulations.

1 . A biocompatible and immunoneutral poly-β-1→4-N-acetylglucosamine.  
   
   
       2 . A biocompatible and immunoneutral poly-β-1→4-glucosamine.  
   
   
       3 . A biocompatible poly-β-1→4-N-acetylglucosamine whose polysaccharide chain is hydrolyzed.  
   
   
       4 . A biocompatible poly-β-1→4-glucosamine whose polysaccharide chain is hydrolyzed.  
   
   
       5 . The poly-β-1→4-N-acetylglucosamine of  claim 1  or  3 , wherein at least one of the N-acetylglucosamine monosaccharides has been deacetylated.  
   
   
       6 . The poly-β-1→4-N-acetylglucosamine of  claim 5 , wherein at least about 25% to about 75% of the N-acetylglucosamine monosaccharides have been deacetylated.  
   
   
       7 . The biocompatible poly-β-1→4-N-acetylglucosamine of  claim 3  whose polysaccharide chain is partially hydrolyzed.  
   
   
       8 . The biocompatible poly-β-1→4-glucosamine of  claim 4  whose polysaccharide chain is partially hydrolyzed.  
   
   
       9 . The biocompatible poly-β-1→4-N-acetylglucosamine of  claim 3  whose polysaccharide chain is completely hydrolyzed.  
   
   
       10 . The biocompatible poly-β-1→4-glucosamine of  claim 4  whose polysaccharide chain is completely hydrolyzed.