Biology:Porphyran

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Porphyran is a sulfated carbohydrate dervied from red algae of the genus Porphyra.[1]

Composition

Porphyran is a complex sulfated carbohydrate. It is a highly substituted agarose with a linear backbone consisting of 3-linked beta-D-galactosyl units alternating with either 4-linked alpha-L-galactosyl 6-sulfate or 3,6-anhydro-alpha-L-galactosyl units. The composition includes 6-O-sulfated L-galactose, 6-O-methylated D-galactose, L-galactose, 3,6-anhydro-L-galactose, 6-O-methyl D-galactose and ester sulfate. Some of the ester is present as 1-4-linked L-galactose 6-sulfate.[1][2][3][4] The precise composition of porphyran shows seasonal and environmental variations.[1] In Porphyra haitanensis, the L-residues are mainly composed of alpha-L-galactosyl 6-sulfate units, and the 3,6-anhydro-galactosyl units are minor.[3] In Porphyra capensis, the ratio of alpha-L-galactose-6-sulfate and the 3,6-anhydrogalactose is 1.2:1.[4]

See also

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 "The structure and biosynthesis of porphyran: a comparison of some samples". Biochem. J. 84: 411–6. August 1962. PMID 14490986. 
  2. "Carbohydrates of the red alga, Porphyra umbilicalis". J. Chem. Soc.: 1590–5. August 1961. doi:10.1039/jr9610001590. 
  3. 3.0 3.1 "The structure of a sulfated galactan from Porphyra haitanensis and its in vivo antioxidant activity". Carbohydr. Res. 339 (1): 105–11. January 2004. doi:10.1016/j.carres.2003.09.015. PMID 14659676. 
  4. 4.0 4.1 "Chemical characteristics of a polysaccharide from Porphyra capensis (Rhodophyta)". Carbohydr. Res. 340 (15): 2447–50. October 2005. doi:10.1016/j.carres.2005.08.009. PMID 16150429.