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Gamma PGA
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Systematic IUPAC name
Poly[imino[1-carboxy-4-oxo-1,4-butanediyl]]
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| (C5H7NO3)n | |
| Molar mass | variable |
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Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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| Infobox references | |
Polyglutamic acid (PGA) is a polymer of the amino acid glutamic acid (GA). Gamma PGA (Poly-γ-glutamic acid, γ-PGA) - the form where the peptide bonds are between the amino group of GA and the carboxyl group at the end of the GA side chain) - is a major constituent of the Japanese food natto. Gamma PGA is formed by bacterial fermentation.
Gamma PGA has a wide number of potential uses ranging from food and medicine to water treatment. It is widely being used as a drug delivery system in cancer treatment and research is underway for its application in a treatment of type I diabetes and its potential use in the production of an AIDS vaccine.