IDENTIFICATION OF MONOSACCHARIDES IN HYDROLYZED BIVALVE SHELL INSOLUBLE MATRIX

This study provides the first survey by gas chromatography/mass spectr ometry of the hydrolyzed insoluble organic matrices of the following b ivalve species: Corbicula fluminea (Muller), Dreissena polymorpha (Pal las), Geukensia demissa (Dillwyn), and Mercenaria mercenaria (Linnaeus ). This study is important because it provides new information on a li ttle known aspect of mollusk insoluble matrix, namely its monosacchari de composition. Six monosaccharides were identified in the form of sil ylated derivatives. These are altrose, fucose, galactose, glucose, man nose, and xylose. All six sugars were detected in each species in simi lar relative concentrations. In addition, the amino sugar galactosamin e was detected in M. mercenaria. The monosaccharide compositions of th ese bivalve matrices are not only similar to each other but also are s imilar to results previously reported for Nautilus pompilius Linnaeus. The resemblance in both matrix monosaccharide identity and relative a bundance of all five species suggests a possible general similarity in monosaccharide composition for mollusk insoluble matrix. While the ro le of these monosaccharides in the matrix is not fully determined, it is possible that some of them are constituents of glycoproteins.