Evaluation of the Structure of the Polysaccharide from Myriogramme denticulata as Determined by 13C NMR Spectroscopy

The polysaccharide extract from Myriogramme denticulata and some of its derivatives have been examined by 13 C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and the spectra analysed with the techniques of set theory. The polysaccharides are agaroids which consists largely of one diad repeat unit, comprising 3-linked D-galactose-4-sulfate and 4-linked L-galactose-2,3-disulfate. Minor components which occur either as variations in the polymer, or as separate polymers, include an agar, a pyruvylated material, and a galactan with 6-sulfate ester. The alga is a member of the Delesseriaceae, and the limited data available suggests that the 4-linked L-galactose unit may be characteristic of this family.