ISSN:
1573-5117
Keywords:
agar
;
carrageenan
;
Eucheuma denticulatum
;
Gelidium madagascariense
;
seaweed
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
Notes:
Abstract Several species of red algae known to contain agar or carrageenan are abundant on the southeast and southwest coasts of Madagascar. The agarophyte Gelidium madagascariense, collected in the Fort Dauphin area, has been exported on a small scale to Japan for several years. FT-IR and GLC analysis show that it contains an agar polymer, of which the methylated fraction contains predominantly 6-O-methyl galactose and traces of 4-O-methyl galactose. Eucheuma denticulatum grows profusely on the coral reefs in the Tulear area. FT-IR and GLC analysis show that it contains iota-carrageenan, with no methyl-derivative contaminants. The 3,6-anhydro-galactose content was found to be rather low, suggesting a possible contamination with deviant iota. The economic potential of other sources of phycocolloids, as well as the possibility of farming different species of Eucheuma in the Tulear area, is discussed.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00040301
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