Modeling of molecular weight changes of polysaccharides subjected to irradiation

Li Wang; Peiling Huang; Jianyong Huang; Huamu Xie; Xingyu Liu; Xinyi Liu; Qing Cai; Boon Chin Heng; Yuanli Huang; Qianqian Han; Zigang Ge

doi:10.1016/j.carpta.2025.100815

Carbohydrate Polymer Technologies and Applications (Jun 2025)

Modeling of molecular weight changes of polysaccharides subjected to irradiation

Li Wang,
Peiling Huang,
Jianyong Huang,
Huamu Xie,
Xingyu Liu,
Xinyi Liu,
Qing Cai,
Boon Chin Heng,
Yuanli Huang,
Qianqian Han,
Zigang Ge

Affiliations

Li Wang: Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Future Technology, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
Peiling Huang: Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Future Technology, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
Jianyong Huang: Department of Mechanics and Engineering Science, College of Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
Huamu Xie: State Key Laboratory of Nuclear Physics and Technology, Institute of Heavy Ion Physics, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
Xingyu Liu: Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
Xinyi Liu: Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Future Technology, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
Qing Cai: State Key Laboratory of Organic-Inorganic Composites, Beijing Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, 100029, China
Boon Chin Heng: Department of Dental Materials & Dental Medical Devices Testing Center, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Beijing 100081, PR China
Yuanli Huang: National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing, 102629, China; Corresponding authors at: National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing, 102629, PR China.
Qianqian Han: National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing, 102629, China; Corresponding authors at: National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing, 102629, PR China.
Zigang Ge: Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Future Technology, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China; Beijing Research Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedics, Beijing Jishuitan Hospital, Beijing, 100035, China; Department of Orthopedic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150001, China; Corresponding author at: Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Future Technology, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, PR China.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carpta.2025.100815
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 10
p. 100815

Abstract

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Irradiation is widely used for the sterilization of biomaterials and is known to lead to a decrease in the molecular weight of polysaccharides. However, the quantitative relationship between irradiation parameters and polysaccharide molecular weight reduction remains poorly defined. In this study, the molecular weights of hyaluronic acid (HA) with different initial chain lengths were evaluated after ultraviolet, gamma ray and electron beam irradiation, to establish and verify a mathematical model to predict polysaccharide degradation. It was found that the molecular weight of HA decreases inversely with irradiation time or dose (R-squared: 0.71 - 0.96). Based on these data, a quantitative model was developed to predict the molecular weight of HA after irradiation sterilization, and its feasibility was validated through both theoretical analysis and experimental verification. Besides HA powders, this quantitative model also applies to HA solutions and other polysaccharides (alginate and dextran). To our knowledge, this is the first study to propose a predictive model for molecular weight changes of polysaccharides exposed to irradiation. It could potentially reduce the mis-estimation of polysaccharide properties, especially that influenced by molecular weight, such as degradation and viscoelasticity.

Published in Carbohydrate Polymer Technologies and Applications

ISSN: 2666-8939 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: United Kingdom
LCC subjects: Science: Chemistry: Organic chemistry: Biochemistry
Website: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/carbohydrate-polymer-technologies-and-applications

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