Preliminary approach to the characterization and seasonal variation of carrageenans from four Rhodophyceae on the Normandy coast (France)

Abstract

Carrageenans extracted under alkaline conditions were studied in some Rhodophyceae from the Normandy coast. Among these, four species yielding iota-carrageenan were studied throughout a whole year : Calliblepharis ciliata, Calliblepharis jubata, Cystoclonium purpureum and Gymnogongrus crenulatus . Carrageenan content varied with season, being maximal at the end of spring and minimal in autumn, and was positively correlated with the growth of these algae . A culture of Cystoclonium purpureum was initiated and, without trying to optimize growth conditions, yielded a mean production of 50 g fresh wt m-2 d -' in 36 weeks of continuous tank culture .

Population Studies and Carrageenan Properties in Eight Gigartinales (Rhodophyta) from Western Coast of Portugal

“…Our results are similar to those presented in other works on the North Atlantic [ 17 , 37 , 38 , 49 , 51 ] and the Iberian Peninsula carrageenophytes [ 1 , 21 ].…”

“…All the three remaining species, C. jubata , G. crenulatus, and A. devoniensis , are producers of iota-carrageenan and have been studied in other countries [ 49 , 51 , 52 ]. In general, our results are in accordance with those studies.…”

“…Several investigators [ 49 , 51 , 52 , 54 , 58 ] have described seasonal fluctuations of carrageenan quantity and compositions in some Gigartinales. In this study, most of the seaweeds present high carrageenan contents in summer ( C. crispus , C. teedei var.…”

“…So, by the combination of high biomass and carrageenan content available in summer, we can conclude that this is the best period to harvest the Portuguese dominant carrageenophytes, with the exception of C. acicularis , that will have to be harvested in autumn/winter. Other studies carried out in North Atlantic coasts showed an increase in carrageenan content during summer and a decrease in winter, namely, in C. crispus [ 54 ], C. jubata [ 51 , 52 ], and G. crenulatus [ 49 ].…”

Carrageenophytes of occidental Portuguese coast: 1-spectroscopic analysis in eight carrageenophytes from Buarcos bay

“…Finally, the i-carrageenan (and i-k hybrids) is produced mainly by species of the genus Eucheuma (Eucheuma denticulatum ) and also by some other species of the Cystocloniaceae and Phyllophoraceae families [2,3].…”