Abstract
“Mekabu” is the sporophyll formed near the root of "Wakame" (Undaria pinnatifida) at its ripe stage. “Mekabu” is rich in viscous exudate that contains alginic acid. The physicochemical properties of viscous exudate prepared from “Mekabu” were compared with those of viscous exudates prepared from “Wakame” or “Konbu”. The results obtained are summarized as follows:
1. The viscosity and alginic acid content of viscous exudate prepared from “Mekabu” were 9.66 cP and 1.28%, respectively. These values were higher than those of viscous exudates prepared from “Wakame” or “Konbu”. The viscosity of viscous exudates correlated with the alginic acid content.
2. The viscosity of dried viscous exudate prepared from “Mekabu” was higher than that of dried viscous exudate prepared from “Wakame”. However, the alginic acid content of dried viscous exudates did not vary between “Mekabu” and “Wakame”. It was thought that physical and chemical properties of alginic acids were different between “ Mekabu” and “Wakame”.
3. The alginic acid content of dried viscous exudate prepared from “Mekabu” was four times higher than that of dried viscous exudate prepared from “Konbu”. Electron micrograph scans of surface structure of dried viscous exudates were different between “Mekabu” and “Konbu”. These results suggest that the components of dried viscous exudates prepared from “Mekabu” and “Konbu”are different.
