Smith Degradation and Methylation of an Acidic Polysaccharide from Soy Sauce

抄録

APS-I, an acidic polysaccharide isolated from soy sauce, was subjected to Smith degradation and methylation, and each product obtained was examined by paper chromatography, gas-liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. Some compounds, such as ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, glycerol, n-threitol, D-galactose, L-rhamnose, D-galacturonic acid and D-threonic acid, were identified as Smith degradation products, and their molar ratios were estimated. Several kinds of methylated sugars were detected in the hydrolysate of methylated APS-I and identified by gas chromatograph-mass spectrometry. On the basis of those findings and previous discussion, the constitution of APS-I was discussed.