A chemotaxonomic study of mucilages in American Zamiaceae

Abstract

Methylrhamnose, fucose, rhamnose, mannose, arabinose, galactose, and glucuronolactone are the monosaccharides identified in hydrolysed mucilages collected from 37 species belonging to the five American cycad genera (Ceratozamia, Chigua, Dioon, Microcycas and Zamia). The patterns of monosaccharide distribution in the mucilages resulted to be typical at the generic level, with the exception of Chigua and Zamia the patterns of which were similar. No differences appeared among species within single genera, with the exception of Zamia in which minor differences were observed at the intrageneric level. Differences and similarities among patterns at both intergeneric and intrageneric levels are discussed for their systematic implications.     

SEM-Untersuchungen an myxospermen Diasporen

The epidermal structure of mucilage producing seeds and fruits before and after contact with water is studied. Main emphasis is laid on the elucidation of structural peculiarities of the dessicated mucilaginous substances.

     

The isolation, preliminary structural studies, and physiological activity of water-soluble polysaccharides from the squeezed berries of the snowball treeViburnum opulus

Water-soluble polysaccharide fractions VO1–VO4 were isolated from the squeezed berries of the snowball tree (Viburnum opulus) by successive extraction with water at various temperatures and pH and with aqueous solutions of ammonium oxalate. These fractions were purified by ion-exchange chromatography on DEAE cellulose, and the homogeneity of the purified polysaccharides was determined by gel filtration on Sephacryl S-500. Acidic polysaccharides close to pectins in their sugar composition were found in all the extracts (fractions VO1-1, VO2-1, VO3-2, and VO4-2). Residues of galacturonic acid, galactose, arabinose, and (to a lesser extent) rhamnose are their main constituents. Neutral polysaccharides composed mainly of galactose and mannose residues were additionally found in fractions extracted with acidified water (pH 4.0) and with aqueous ammonium oxalate solutions. Partial acidic hydrolysis and digestion with pectinase of acidic polysaccharides indicated that their carbohydrate backbone consists of α-1,4-linked residues ofD-galacturonic acid. NMR spectra of acidic polysaccharides (fractions VO3-2 and VO3-3) confirmed this and demonstrated that their side oligosaccharide chains are composed of β-1,4-linked galactopyranose residues and of terminal and 2,5- and 3,5-substituted residues of α-arabinofuranose at a Gal : Ara ratio of 3 : 1. Some polysaccharides fromV. opulus were found to possess an immunostimulating activity: they enhance phagocytosis, in particular, the phagocytic index and the secretion of lysosomal enzymes with peritoneal macrophages. Calcium ions were found to be necessary for the appearance of the stimulating effect of acidic polysaccharides fromV. opulus.     

A comparative study of cycad mucilages

The patterns of monosaccharide distribution of the mucilages of Cycadales are characteristic at the generic level. Arabinose, fucose, galactose, mannose, rhamnose and methylrhamnose were identified in the hydrolysed mucilage of Bowenia, Ceratozamia, Cycas, Dioon, Encephalartos, Lepidozamia, Macrozamia, Microcycas and Zamia. Stangeria contains no rhamnose and methylrhamnose, and Ceratozamia contains galactose only in traces. American genera may easily be distinguished from the others by means of their different monosaccharide composition. Lepidozamia appears to be well separated from Macrozamia.     

Bestimmung des Schleimgehaltes myxospermer Diasporen verschiedener Angiospermenfamilien

The mucilage content of structurally differing myxospermatic diaspores from 49 species belonging to 19 families ofAngiospermae has been determined by applying various extraction procedures. The results demonstrate no obvious relationship between the size, mucilage quantity, and the swelling factor of the diaspores studied. Furthermore, mucilage producing structures and structural peculiarities of the mucilages themselves are elaborated.