N.m.r. studies of synergistic kappa carrageenan—carob galactomannan gels

¹³C-n.m.r. spectroscopy has been used to investigate the carob galactomannan—kappa carrageenan binary gels. Starting from partially depolymerized carob samples, evidence for interaction and intermolecular binding was found by analysis of the spectra obtained in quantitative conditions and in the absolute intensity mode. From these, a reconstitution of the signals corresponding to C-1, C-4, C-5 and C-6 showed the existence of three kinds of galactomannan chains: the first ones with a low galactose content were strongly connected and as much had completely lost their mobility; but the chains with a high galactose content were still detected and could be divided in two groups according to their mobility.     

Small-angle x-ray scattering of κ-carrageenan based systems: Sols,gels, and blends with carob galactomannan

Small-angle x-ray scattering using a synchroton x-ray monochromatic radiation was carried out to investigate the structure of different polysaccharides in aqueous medium: carob galactomannan, κ-carrageenan in the sol and in the gel states, and κ-carrageenan-carob galactomannan mixed systems. Experiments performed on a 0.2% carob galactomannan solutions confirmed that this polysaccharide behaved as a neutral polymer in a good solvent. For K-carrageenan in the / state, either in the sodium form or in the cesium form, a maximum in the scattering curve was evidenced. Position and height of this maximum changed with K-carrageenan concentration in close agreement with what is expected for wormlike polyelectrolyte in semidilute solution. In the case of k-carrageenan in the gel state, in the cesium form, scattering curves also exhibited a maximum at an intermediate Q value. The position of this correlation peak did not change with concentration while its intensity increased. This effect was ascribed to a packing of rodlike structures by analogy with a suspension of colloidal elongated particles. This local structure could be viewed as bundles of parallel double helices. Addition of carobgalactomannan in κ-carrageenan gels induced dramatic structural changes. As the galactomannan concentration increased, the correlation peak tended to vanish. In contrast, no change in the cross-sectional radius of gyration was noticed. This phenomenon suggested a screening effect of the galactomannan, resulting in a loss of the correlation between the κ-carrageenan double helices. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Structural and conformational investigation of carrageenans

A detailed assignment of the ¹³C chemical shifts of κ- and ι-carrageenans in their Na⁺ and K⁺ forms in D₂O and dimethylsulfoxide is given. Evidence of the conformational transition induced by temperature variation in the absence of any gel formation on κ-carrageenans is also presented. This evidence is based on ¹³C-nmr and optical rotation experiments.     

Molecular organization of kappa carrageenan in aqueous solution

The interaction of K⁺ with unsegmented kappa carrageenan in aqueous solution was studied by conductimetry, optical rotation and light scattering. By comparing the results from the different techniques it is possible to propose the existence of an equilibrium between molecules as single-helix and helical-dimer depending on the ionic concentration.