Periodate oxidized alginates: Depolymerization kinetics

► Alginates partially (0-8%) oxidized with periodate. ► Degradation in pH-range 3-10.4 studied by SEC-MALLS. ► pH dependence shows β-elimination as major degradation mechanism at pH 7.4 and higher. ► Activation energy 88 kJ/mol for labile dialdehydes, 113 kJ/mol for unoxidized residues. ► Level-off molecular weight caused by resistant dialdehydes. ► Rate of degradation in gel state proportional to the degree of oxidation.