*2.2.3. Molecular weight distribution*

Molecular weight distribution of AX1 and AX2 was determined by Size Exclusion-High Performance Liquid Chromatography (SE-HPLC) at 38°C using a TSKgel (Polymer Laborato‐ ries, Shropshire, UK) G500 PMWX column (7.8 x 300 mm). 20 μL of AX1 and AX2 solutions (0.5% w/v in 0.1 M LiNO3) filtered through 0.2 μm (Whatman) were injected, and Water 2414 Refractive Index Detector was used for detection. Isocratic elution was performed at 0.6 mL/min with 0.1 M LiNO3 filtered through 0.2 μm. Molecular weights were estimated after universal calibration with pullulans (polysaccharide extracted from the fermentation medium of the *Aureobasidium pullulans* consisting of maltotriose units) as standards (P50 to P800) [17].
