Isolation and Identification of Fucoidan from Okinawamozuku (Cladosiphon okamuranus TOKIDA)

Abstract

A Fucoidan was isolated from Okinawamozuku (Cladosiphon okamuranus T0KmA) and its chemical and physicochemical properties were investigated . The total carbohydrates, uronic acid, ash, sulfuricacid, and moisture of the fucoidan was estimated to be 67.2, 13.5, 23.0, 11.9, and 3.2%, respectively. The L-fucose and n-xylose residues were identified by paper and liquid chromatography from the acid hydrolysate of the fucoidan. The molecular weight of the fucoidan was estimated to be about 500, 000. The optical rotation of the fucoidan showed a value of -0.351° at a temperature of 60°C, then it decreased a little with decreasing temperature. The infrared spectrum of the fucoidan was essentially in agreement with that of a fucoidan (Sigma), which was used as a standard sample, in a wide range of wave numbers.