Laminarin

Laminaran

Beige powder

Fixed

Water-soluble and water-insoluble form

Laminarin is a common chemical compound in nature. It is a to the ( 1 → 3) - β -D -glucans belonging depending on the form of water-soluble polysaccharide. In its polymerized form, it serves algae, especially brown algae and diatoms as an energy store, similar to the strength in land plants.

Construction

At irregular intervals, the main chain of the laminarin is branched, and another glucose molecule β - (1 → 6) - linked. The ratio of β - (1 → 3) and β - (1 → 6) glycosidic linked glucose molecules is 15:1.

Both soluble ( Laminaria digitata ), as well as water-insoluble forms ( Laminaria Laminaria hyperborea and clou toni ) were found in various species of brown algae. The degree of branching determines whether the compound is water soluble; the little branched laminarin is soluble. The water-soluble form is composed of 23-25 ​​glucose units. Pro 37 ( water-soluble form ) and 57 ( water-insoluble form ) glucose units, the reducing end of the chain is masked with a glycoside molecule mannitol.

The dimer of two glucose units, the (1 → 3) - β - linked, the laminaribiose.

Extraction

Laminarin is obtained in large quantities from the kelp ( Laminaria digitata ).

Use and biological significance

In animals laminarin produced a response from the respective immune system. How many algal polysaccharides are sulfated Laminarine potent anticoagulant. Laminarin was formerly used as a drug for the treatment of nervous disorders.

Brown algae laminarin is a reserve carbohydrate similar in function to the strength of terrestrial plants or glycogen in animals. The enzyme laminarinase ( endo- 1, 3 ( 4) - β -glucanase ) is based polysaccharides having β -1, 3 - and from β -1 ,4- glycosidically linked glucose units.