Abstract

Depolymerization of the sulfated galactan from Schizymenia binderi with H2O2 in the presence of copper (II) acetate afforded a homogeneous fraction (MW 8500) in 50% yield. Alkylation and NMR spectroscopy analysis of this fraction indicated the presence of an agaran-carrageenan hybrid polysaccharide composed of 3-linked β-d-galactopyranosyl residue partially sulfated at position O-2 and 4-linked α-d-galactopyranosyl and α-l-galactopyranosyl residues mainly sulfated at position O-3 and glycosylated at position O-2. Discreet anticoagulant activity, similar to that of the native polysaccharide was found in the derivative obtained by sulfation of this fraction. © 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.