Ontogenic Variation of the Methylation Pattern in Agar-Type Phycocolloids from _Gracilaria verrucosa_ (Huds.) Papenfuss Cultured Under Controlled Conditions: Biotechnological Implications
Article Sidebar
Main Article Content
Abstract
The influence of tissue age and culture conditions on the chemical composition of galactans extracted from the rhodophyte macroalga _Gracilaria verrucosa_ was evaluated. Using a fractionated extraction procedure by thallus age and alditol acetate derivatization with gas-liquid chromatography (FID), tissue maturation markers were identified. Young tissue (primary lateral branches) showed predominance of 6-O-methyl-D-galactose and a poorly substituted (A-B)n structure, while mature tissue (main axis) showed enrichment in 4-O-methyl-L-galactopyranose. Results suggest that agar is a dynamic polymer and its substitution pattern can be biotechnologically modulated.
Phycocolloids (agar, carrageenans, porphyrans) are linear galactans formed by alternating units (AB) n of D-galactose (Unit A) linked by β(1-3) bond and L-galactose or 3,6-anhydro-L-galactose (Unit B) linked by α(1-4) bond. Their industrial value depends on gel strength, determined by the degree of methylation, sulfation and pyruvation [Craigie and Wen, 1984].
Few studies have addressed the effect of thallus ontogeny on this pattern [Araki et al., 1967].
Downloads
Article Details
Copyright (c) 2026 Ondarza Beneitez MA.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Licensing and protecting the author rights is the central aim and core of the publishing business. Peertechz dedicates itself in making it easier for people to share and build upon the work of others while maintaining consistency with the rules of copyright. Peertechz licensing terms are formulated to facilitate reuse of the manuscripts published in journals to take maximum advantage of Open Access publication and for the purpose of disseminating knowledge.
We support 'libre' open access, which defines Open Access in true terms as free of charge online access along with usage rights. The usage rights are granted through the use of specific Creative Commons license.
Peertechz accomplice with- [CC BY 4.0]
Explanation
'CC' stands for Creative Commons license. 'BY' symbolizes that users have provided attribution to the creator that the published manuscripts can be used or shared. This license allows for redistribution, commercial and non-commercial, as long as it is passed along unchanged and in whole, with credit to the author.
Please take in notification that Creative Commons user licenses are non-revocable. We recommend authors to check if their funding body requires a specific license.
With this license, the authors are allowed that after publishing with Peertechz, they can share their research by posting a free draft copy of their article to any repository or website.
'CC BY' license observance:
|
License Name |
Permission to read and download |
Permission to display in a repository |
Permission to translate |
Commercial uses of manuscript |
|
CC BY 4.0 |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
The authors please note that Creative Commons license is focused on making creative works available for discovery and reuse. Creative Commons licenses provide an alternative to standard copyrights, allowing authors to specify ways that their works can be used without having to grant permission for each individual request. Others who want to reserve all of their rights under copyright law should not use CC licenses.
Araki C, Arai K, Hirase S. Studies on the chemical constitution of agar-agar. XXIII. Isolation of D-xylose, 6-O-methyl-D-galactose, 4-O-methyl-L-galactose and O-methylpentose. Bull Chem Soc Jpn. 1967;40(4):959-962. Available from: https://academic.oup.com/bcsj/article-abstract/40/4/959/7371162
Craigie JS, Wen ZC. Effects of temperature and tissue age on gel strength and composition of agar from Gracilaria tikvahiae (Rhodophyceae). Can J Bot. 1984;62:1665-1670. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/237162192_Effects_of_temperature_and_tissue_age_on_gel_strength_and_composition_of_agar_from_Gracilaria_tikvahiae_Rhodophyceae
Izumi K, et al. Structural analysis of agar-type polysaccharides by NMR spectroscopy. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj. 1973;320(2):311-317. Available from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/0304416573903115
Lahaye M, Rochas C. Chemical structure and physico-chemical properties of agar. Hydrobiologia. 1991;221:137-148. Available from: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/BF00028370
Craigie JS, Jürgens A. Structure of agars from Gracilaria tikvahiae Rhodophyta: location of 4-O-methyl-L-galactose and sulphate. Carbohydr Polym. 1989;11:265-278. Available from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/0144861789900027
Araño KG, Trono GC Jr, Montaño NE, Hurtado AQ, Villanueva RD. Growth, agar yield and quality of selected agarophyte species from the Philippines. Bot Mar. 2000;43(6):517-524.
Craigie JS, Wen ZC. Effects of temperature and tissue age on gel strength and composition of agar from Gracilaria tikvahiae (Rhodophyceae). Can J Bot. 1984;62:1665-1670. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/237162192_Effects_of_temperature_and_tissue_age_on_gel_strength_and_composition_of_agar_from_Gracilaria_tikvahiae_Rhodophyceae
Rodríguez MC, Matulewicz MC, Noseda MD, Ducatti DRB, Leonardi PI. Agar from Gracilaria gracilis (Gracilariales, Rhodophyta) of the Patagonic coast of Argentina: content, structure and physical properties. Bioresour Technol. 2009;100(3):1435-1441. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2008.08.025
Freile-Pelegrín Y, Robledo D, et al. Structural and physicochemical studies of agar-type polysaccharides from Gracilaria species. [Bibliographic details require verification before submission.]
Li F, Liu K. Research progress in the preparation, structural characterization, bioactivities, and potential applications of sulfated agarans from the genus Gracilaria. J Food Biochem. 2022;46(12):e14401. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1111/jfbc.14401
Mulio, et al. New perspectives on polysaccharides from Gracilaria and Gracilariopsis (Rhodophyta) and their potential applications in future industries. Food Frontiers. 2025. Available from: https://iadns.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/fft2.70051
Campo VL, Kawano DF, da Silva DB, Carvalho I. Seaweed hydrocolloid production: an update on enzyme assisted extraction and modification technologies. Mar Drugs. 2015;13(6):3340-3363. Available from: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-3397/13/6/3340