1,3-β-d-glucans from Haramonas dimorpha (Raphidophyceae)

This is the first report of a detailed characterization of energy reserve glucans from a representative of the microalgal class Rhaphidophyceae (Ochrophyta). The hot-water extractable glucans from Haramonas dimorpha were shown by chemical and spectroscopic methods to be predominantly 1,3-beta-D-glucans, with an average degree of polymerization of 12-16 residues and a relatively low proportion of side-branching with glucosyl residues. Based on their structural similarity with diatom glucans, H. dimorpha glucans should be referred to as chrysolaminaran.