Abstract
Sulphated galactan (SFA) containing alpha (α), iota (í) and pyruvated α-carrageenans (17.6:18.8:25.3 mol %) was extracted and characterized from Sarconema filiforme of Indian waters. The SFA and its alkali modified derivative (SFAM) were composed of D-galactose, 3, 6-anhydro-D-galactose, 6-O-methylated-D-galactose (64.5:23.0:9.8 and 59.6:29.8:7.6 mol %) respectively. The linkage analysis, physicochemical analysis, infra red and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectra of SFA along with linkage analysis of the desulphated derivative (SFD) of SFA, reveals that it was a hybrid/combination of α/í carrageenan as well as 3-linked 4′,6‘-O-(1-carboxyethylidene)-galactose (pyruvated α carrageenan) and 6-O-methylated α-carrageenan. The flow behavior of SFA obtained from rheological measurements suggested strong network formation in presence of 1% aqueous KCl and CaCl2 solutions.
