The carrageenan system of Gigartina skottsbergii S. et G. Part I. Studies on a fraction of κ-carrageenan

Abstract

A κ-carrageenan extracted from the seaweed Gigartina skottsbergii S. et G. has been separated into four fractions, two of which were studied together because of their similarities. It was shown that for every four galactose and every three 3,6-anhydrogalactose units the polysaccharide contains five sulphate groups, two as galactose 4-sulphate, two as 3,6-anhydrogalactose 2-sulphate, and the fifth as galactose 6-sulphate. The constitution of this structural unit is discussed.