Some structural features of a new sulphated heteropolysaccharide from Padina pavonia

An acid-extractable, water-soluble, polysaccharide sulphate, isolated from Padina pavonia, comprised variable proportions of glucuronic acid, galactose, glucose, mannose, xylose, and fucose in addition to a protein moiety. Partial acid hydrolysis and autohydrolysis of the free acid polysaccharide yielded several oligosaccharides. Evidence from periodate oxidation studies indicated that the inner polysaccharide portion is composed of (1 → 4)-linked β-D-glucuronic acid, (1 → 4)-linked β-D-mannose and (1 → 4)-linked β-D-glucose residues. The heteropolymeric partially sulphated exterior portion is attached to the inner part and comprises various ratios of (1 → 4)-linked β-D-galactose, β-D-galactose-3-sulphate residues, (1 → 4)-linked β-D-glucose residues, (1 → 2)-linked α-L-fucose 4-sulphate residues and (1 → 3)-linked β-D-xylose residues.