RESUMEN
The detection of oligosaccharides at the single-molecule level was investigated using a protein nanopore device. Neutral oligosaccharides of various molecular weights were translocated through a single α-hemolysin nanopore and their nano-transit recorded at the single-molecule level. The translocation of maltose and dextran oligosaccharides featured by 1â4 and 1â6 glycosidic bonds respectively was studied in an attempt to discriminate oligosaccharides according to their polymerization degree and glycosidic linkages. Oligosaccharides were translocated through a free diffusion regime indicating that they adopted an extended conformation during their translocation in the nanopore. The dwell time increased with molecular mass, suggesting the usefulness of nanopore as a molecular sizing device.