The Novel Pyruvated Glucogalactan Sulfate Isolated from the Red Seaweed, <i>Hypnea pannosa</i>

The polysaccharide was isolated from Hypnea pannosa which was grown in Okinawa, Japan. The yield of the polysaccharide was 17.2%, and the total carbohydrates, pyruvic acid, sulfuric acid and ash contents were 55.2%, 3.8%, 35.2% and 24.3%, respectively. 3,6-Anhydro-α-D-galactose, β-D-galactose, α-D-galactose and D-glucose were identified by liquid and thin-layer chromatography. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra of the polysaccharide resembled that of ι-carrageenan. From the 1H- and 13C-NMR spectra, 1,3-linked β-D-galactose, 1,4-linked anhydro-α-D-galactose, 1,4-linked α-D-galactose, 1,4-linked β-D-glucose and pyruvic acid (carboxyl acetal, methyl proton and methyl carbon) were assigned. Methylation analysis revealed terminal D-galactose 0.1 mol), 1,4-linked D-glucose (1.0 mol) and 1,2,3,4,6-linked D-galactose (3.7 mol) for native polysaccharide, and terminal D-galactose, 1,4-linked D-galactose (1.9 mol), 1,4-linked D-glucose (1.0 mol), 1,3- linked D-galactose (1.7 mol), and 1,3,4,6-linked D-galactose (0.3 mol) which substituted with pyruvate group at 4 and 6 positions for desulfated polysaccharide. The polysaccharide was the novel pyruvated glucogalactan sulfate, the structure of which was proposed.