Identification of selected seaweed polysaccharides (phycocolloids) by vibrational spectroscopy (FTIR-ATR and FT-Raman)

摘要

The wide industrial application of phycocolloids (e.g. alginates, agar and carrageenans) is based on theirparticular properties to form gels in aqueous solution. These seaweed polysaccharides present a chemicalstructure related with the taxonomic position of the algae: carrageenans are produced by carrageenophytes(red algae belonging mainly to the genera Kappaphycus, Eucheuma, Chondrus, Gigartina andChondracanthus). Recently, new spectroscopic techniques have provided more accurate identification ofthe natural composition of the polysaccharides produced by these seaweeds. With the combination oftwo spectroscopic techniques (FTIR-ATR and FT-Raman) it is possible to identify the principal seaweedcolloids in ground seaweed samples as in extracted material. Since the seaweed samples receive theminimum of handling and treatment (e.g. they are simply dried and ground), the composition determinedrepresents, as accurately as possible, the native composition of the phycocolloids.