ISSN:
1365-2621
Source:
Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
Topics:
Process Engineering, Biotechnology, Nutrition Technology
Notes:
A study of the components of the red seaweed Eucheuma spinosum, found growing abundantly in Singapore waters, was made with a view to improving its commercial value. Carbohydrates was found to be the chief component, accounting for over 70% of the dry weight. Proteins accounted for between 5–10% of the dry weight.The nature of the carbohydrates present was determined and found to consist mainly of polysaccharide/s extractable with water under the mildest of conditions. Centrifuging a 1% homogenate of the dried Eucheuma plant and freeze drying the supernatant resulted in the isolation of over 80% of the polysaccharide present. By sun bleaching the plants before extraction, the red pigments present in the red alga was not extracted with the polysaccharide/s, resulting in a white fluffy product. The sugar units of the polysaccharide/s were galactose and 3,6-anhydrogalactose in the proportion of 3:2.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2621.1979.tb00870.x
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