Fig. 5.

Structural model for the effects of lyophilization on C. neoformans EPS structure. EPS harvested from encapsulated C. neoformans is small, hydrated, rigid, and ordered when purified in its native form. Lyophilization causes alterations to the native form, resulting in disordered, condensed conformations that exclude water. Solvation of the lyophilized sample proceeds through gelation, wherein particles aquire a hydration shell but not structural waters. Over time in solution (28+ days) the condensed conformation will be lost and a polymer-like structure more similar to, but not the same as, the native structure is adopted.