Immunochemistry of kappa-type carrageenans from certain red algae

• Published in: Carbohydrate research 1979-01, Vol.72, p.157-163
• Main Authors: DiNinno, Vincent L., McCandless, Esther L.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Chondrus crispus
• ISSN: 0008-6215; 1873-426X
• DOI: 10.1016/S0008-6215(00)83931-2

Carrageenans from female and male gametophytic plants of the alga Rhodo-glossum californicum, female plants of Chondrus crispus and Gigartina pistillata, and male plants of Iridaea cordata and a Gigartina species from San Francisco Bay were fractionated into potassium chloride-soluble and -insoluble components and were analysed chemically. An anti- K-carrageenan, the reactivity of which is directed to K-type structures ( i.e., 3-linked d-galactose 4-sulphate and 4-linked 3,6-anhydro- D-galactose residues) was used to analyse these carrageenans immunochemically. The potassium chloride-insoluble carrageenans from these species were found to be highly reactive K-type carrageenans. The potassium chloride-soluble carrageenans were less reactive to anti- K-carrageenan and, in addition, showed reactivity to an anti-λ-carrageenan preparation. The chemical and immunochemical data suggest that the potassium chloride-soluble carrageenans contain either λ- or μ-carrageenan, as a high proportion of the precursors to the 3,6-anhydro- D-galactose are 4-linked D-galactose 2,6-disulphate residues, and no increase in immunological reactivity to anti K-carrageenan was observed upon alkali treatment.