POLY-BETA-1,4-N-ACETYLGLUCOSAMINE COMPRISING 4000 TO 15000 N-ACETYLGLUCOSAMINES FREE OF PROTEIN AND OTHER CONTAMINANTS; USE IN PREVENTING POST-SURGICAL ADHESIONS AND IN DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEMS

摘要

The present invention relates, first, to a purified, easily produced poly- beta -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 beta -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.