Synthesis, characterization and biodegradability of a water-soluble poly(ethylene oxide) derivative polymer bearing carboxylic acid side chain function

A water-soluble poly(ethylene oxide) derivative polymer bearing carboxylic acid side chain function was synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Gel permeation chromatography (GPC) results indicated a narrow molecular weight distribution but could not give the absolute molecular weight. However, the electrospray mass spectrometry data indicated a molecular mass of 5500 for the polymer. Using GPC molecular weight distributions, we have been able to study the biodegradability of the polymer by papain and proteinase A in a buffer at pH 7.81 and at a temperature of 37 degreesC. Both endopeptidase enzymes were active in the degradation of the polymer but at a very low rate. However, proteinase A showed continuous activity up to 48 hours, whereas the papain effect seemed to culminate after 24 hours.