Established method of chondroitin sulphate extraction from buffalo () cartilages and its identification by FTIR.

A study was conducted for extraction of chondroitin sulphate (CS) from buffalo tracheal, nasal and joint cartilages. CS was extracted from cartilages using 0.25% papain digestion, dialyzed, precipitated with 10% TCA and finally lyophilized to dry powder. Dimethylmethylene blue assay was performed to estimate the quantity of CS extracted. Identification of extracted CS was performed with SDS-PAGE and Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). SDS-PAGE analysis of extracted CS revealed similar electrophoretic pattern to that of standard and the molecular weight ranged from 5 to 20 kDa. FTIR spectra of extracted CS revealed presence of characteristic peaks of -CONH vibration of amide group, coupling of C-O stretching vibration, S=O stretching vibrations and -C-O-S molecules confirms the CS moiety. It can be concluded that extraction method adopted could efficiently be utilized for the extraction of CS from buffalo by-products like tracheal, nasal and joint cartilages.