PLANT MUCILAGES .43. A REPRESENTATIVE MUCILAGE WITH BIOLOGICAL-ACTIVITY FROM THE LEAVES OF HIBISCUS-ROSA-SINENSIS

A representative mucilage, called Hibiscus-mucilage RL, was isolated f rom the leaves of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L. It was homogeneous on elec trophoresis, and its molecular mass was estimated to be roughly 1.0 x 10(7). Its intrinsic viscosity value in aqueous solution was 23.2. The major constituent is an acidic polysaccharide composed Of L-rhamnose: D-galactose: D-galacturonic acid: D-glucuronic acid in the molar rati o of 5:8:3:2. Methylation analysis, partial hydrolysis and nuclear mag netic resonance studies indicated its main structural features includi ng a unique backbone chain composed of alpha-1,4-linked D-galactosyl a lpha-1,2-linked L-rhamnosyl alpha-1,4-linked D-galacturonic acid units . The mucilage showed considerable anti-complementary activity.