Are you looking to carry out a polysaccharide analysis on your biopharmaceutical products?
Polysaccharides: biomolecules to analyze in biopharmacy
Polysaccharides are macromolecules made up of chains of monosaccharides linked together by glycosidic bonds.
They include in particular energy-storage polysaccharides, such as starch in plants or glycogen in animals, and structural polysaccharides, such as cellulose or glycosaminoglycans. They play an active role in cell signaling, immunomodulation, intercellular recognition, and the stabilization of biological structures.
The classification of polysaccharides
Polysaccharides can be classified according to their structure and function:
According to their chemical composition
Homopolysaccharides : composed of a single type of monosaccharide. For example: starch (glucose), cellulose (glucose), glycogen (glucose).
Heteropolysaccharides : contain several types of monosaccharides. For example: hyaluronic acid, heparin, peptidoglycans.
According to their biological function
Storage polysaccharides : store energy. For example: starch (plants), glycogen (animals).
Structural polysaccharides : strengthen biological structures. For example: cellulose (plant cell wall), chitin (arthropod exoskeleton).
Biologically active polysaccharides : involved in specific functions. For example: heparin (anticoagulant), hyaluronic acid (joint lubricant, skin hydration).
FILAB supports you in polysaccharide analysis
Why choose FILAB for polysaccharide analysis?
FILAB, an analytical expertise laboratory, brings in-depth expertise in the characterization and analysis of polysaccharides, following the applicable guidelines, in particular ICH Q6B.
The FILAB laboratory offers you a complete range of polysaccharide characterization and analysis services.
Polysaccharide characterization
To characterize polysaccharides— with a structure similar to glycans or polyosides — various analytical methods are used to meet the precision requirements of the biopharmaceutical sector.
Their characterization makes it possible in particular to control their structure (monosaccharide composition, degree of polymerization, branching), purity, homogeneity, and interactions with other biomolecules, such as recombinant proteins.
our polysaccharide analysis services
Identification of chemical bonds and functional groups
Measurement of particle size and molecular weight of polysaccharides
Determination of thermal stability and moisture content
Determination of the crystallinity of polysaccharides
Identification of monosaccharides
Determination of thermal transitions (melting, crystallization)
Characterization of the surface and structure of polysaccharides
our technical capabilities
What is a polysaccharide analysis?
Polysaccharide analysis, or polysaccharide analysis in English, consists of characterizing their structure, chemical composition, and physico-chemical properties in order to guarantee their quality, efficacy, and safety in pharmaceutical and biomedical applications.
Use of polysaccharides in biopharmaceuticals
Polysaccharides have a range of properties that make them useful in the biopharmaceutical industry:
- Excipients for medicines (e.g. cellulose derivatives).
- Anti-inflammatory and anticoagulant therapies (e.g. heparin).
- Biomaterials for wound healing and implants (e.g. chitosan, hyaluronic acid).
FAQ
Some polysaccharides, such as heparin, are used for their anticoagulant properties, while others enhance the immunogenicity of vaccines. Their analysis helps ensure their efficacy, stability, and compliance with pharmaceutical standards.
Polysaccharides such as chitosan and hyaluronic acid are used for their wound-healing, tissue-engineering, and biomedical implant properties. Their characterization ensures their biocompatibility and clinical performance.
Cellulose derivatives and other polysaccharides are used as excipients to optimize bioavailability and controlled drug release. Their analysis helps verify their structure and ability to interact with active ingredients.
Polysaccharides may exhibit variations in purity and composition depending on their source and extraction method. Their analysis ensures batch homogeneity, the absence of contaminants, and stability in compliance with pharmaceutical requirements.
Polysaccharides are widely used in biopharmaceuticals as active ingredients (heparin), excipients (cellulose derivatives), or biomaterials (hyaluronic acid, chitosan). Their complex structure and variability require precise analyses to ensure their quality, safety, and efficacy.
- Regulatory compliance and quality control: Polysaccharide analysis is essential to meet the requirements of ICH Q6B standards for the characterization of biomolecules and ensure batch homogeneity and reproducibility. Chromatography (HPLC, GPC/SEC) is used to control their composition and molecular weight distribution.
- Stability and formulation optimization: Polysaccharides are sensitive to variations in pH, temperature, and oxidation, which may alter their functional properties. Techniques such as differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) assess their stability under different conditions. Strict control is essential to ensure homogeneity across production batches.
- Impurity detection and risk management: The presence of contaminants (heavy metals, solvent residues) can affect product safety. Methods such as mass spectrometry (ICP-MS, MALDI-TOF, GC-MS) can detect these impurities at trace levels.
A polysaccharide is a macromolecule made up of several linked simple sugars (or monosaccharides). These carbohydrate chains may be linear or branched and play key roles in energy storage, cell structure, and biological signaling.
In biopharmaceuticals, they may act as active ingredients, excipients, or stabilizing agents.
Polysaccharide composition can be measured using techniques such as HPLC, which separates sugars according to their size or nature, or carbohydrate assay methods (colorimetric or enzymatic), which quantify the total carbohydrate content. These analyses help detect variations in structure or purity.
The main methods include HPLC and spectroscopy (IR, UV, NMR). These tools provide comprehensive characterization, including molecular weight, branching, glycan type, potential interactions, and more.
No. Polysaccharides may be of natural origin (extracted from plants, bacteria, yeasts, etc.) or produced through biosynthesis from genetically modified cells. Their origin must be carefully controlled because it may influence their properties and behavior in formulations.
- Determination of sugar composition: identification and quantification of the different monosaccharides making up the polysaccharides.
- Structural evaluation: analysis of the organization of carbohydrate chains (linear, branched) and the types of bonds present.
- Measurement of physicochemical properties: molecular weight, conformation in solution, solubility, behavior in a biological environment.
- Purity and homogeneity analysis: verification of the absence of impurities, contaminants, or variability between batches.
- Study of biological functions: understanding the role of polysaccharides in the formulation, stabilization, or efficacy of biotherapies.
- Quality control in a regulated environment: compliance with pharmaceutical requirements for polysaccharide raw materials or excipients.
