CHEMICAL MODIFICATIONS OF THE XYLAN FROM PALMARIA-DECIPIENS

The neutral fraction isolated from the aqueous extract of the red seaw eed Palmaria decipiens (Palmariales) was characterised as a D-xylan wi th beta-(1 --> 4) and beta-(1-->3) linkages. Oxidation with bromine in troduced the formation of carbonyl groups at C-2 of the xylopyranosyl residues. Coupling of the oxidised xylan in heterogeneous medium with p-chloroaniline gave a stable Schiff base in a better yield than in aq ueous solutions. Conjugation of the bromine-oxidised xylan with bovine serum albumin was achieved by reductive amination. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.