Abstract
Though it is known that β-polyglucan is a storage product in Haptophyceae (Prymnesiophyceae), it has not been analyzed yet. We studied its structure and content in Pleurochrysis haptonemofera, Haptophyceae. β-polyglucan extracted from its cell extract was composed of β-(1,3)- and β-(1,6)- linkage by NMR analysis. The molecular weight of the β-polyglucan was 34,000 Da (D.P. 206) in peak value with gel permeration chromatography. The enzymatic determination method was established for determination of β-glucan content. Enzymatic determination revealed that β-polyglucan was localized in a soluble fraction and contained 20-50 pg per cell. The culture level of β-polyglucan kept constant until the log phase, increased at the stationary phase and decreased in the dark without relating to growth phase.
