Effect of varying flow regimes upon elution behaviour, apparent molecular characteristics and hydrodynamic properties of amylopectin isolated from normal corn starch using asymmetrical flow field-flow fractionation.

A detailed study of the elution behaviour, apparent molecular characteristics and hydrodynamic properties of amylopectin-type fraction (isolated from normal corn starch) in aqueous media employing asymmetrical flow field-flow fractionation (AF4) was undertaken by systematically varying the channel flow (F(ch)), cross flow (F(cr)) and F(cr)/F(ch) ratios. Distributions of apparent molar masses and radii of gyration, mass recoveries and hydrodynamic radii decreased as a function of increasing F(cr) at a fixed F(ch), due to the increase in the retention of amylopectin-type fraction in the AF4 channel. Increased retention of the amylopectin-type fraction in the AF4 channel was also observed at low F(ch) and high F(cr)/F(ch) ratios. Large amylopectin-type molecules/particles (possibly aggregates) eluted at high F(ch), low F(cr) and low F(cr)/F(ch) ratios.