Method for chromatographic analysis of whey protein–dextran glycation products

A chromatographic method for the analysis of whey protein isolate (WPI)–dextran glycates was developed in this work that is useful for quantification of sample purity and concentration, and as a sample-preparation method for subsequent analysis by gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and laser-light scattering. Glycation was by the Maillard reaction between WPI and dextran of 3 different sizes. Glycate fractions from each dextran were collected and analyzed by fluorescent and glycoprotein staining of gels, bicinchoinic acid protein assay, and static and dynamic laser light scattering. The weight-average molecular mass of the glycates was 27–34 kDa (from 3.5 kDa dextran), 32–39 kDa (from 10 kDa dextran), and 250–270 kDa (from 150 kDa dextran). The new method was used to characterize the kinetics of the glycation reaction, which followed a reversible pseudo first-order model. The kinetics of decomposition of the purified glycate by hydrolysis was also examined. The new method is rapid (25 min) and quantitative, and is the first chromatographic method for direct analysis of WPI-dextran glycation products.