ALGINATE COMPOSITION OF SOME NEW-ZEALAND BROWN SEAWEEDS

Guluronic: mannuronic acid ratios were assessed for the alginates from 11 New Zealand brown seaweeds. The highest contents of guluronic acid were found in alginates from two seaweeds from the Chordariales, whic h are mucilaginous, nonrigid and are winter/spring annuals; hence, hig h levels of guluronic acids do not appear to correlate with either pla nt rigidity or age. Conversely, the amounts of guluronic acid were hig hest in the species with the lowest yield of alginate. The percentage of the lowest uronic acid in the alternating polymer blocks was approx imately constant within orders but varied between orders.