The fibrillar polysaccharides and their linkage to algaenan in the trilaminar layer of the cell wall of Coelastrum sphaericum (Chlorophyceae)

Methylation and spectroscopical analyses of DMSO-LiCl-solubilized fractions of the fibrillar cell. wall of Coelastrum sphaericum Nag, established the presence of cellulose and beta-1,4-linked mannan, A small proportion (2-7%) of (1-->2) linkages in beta-mannan that introduced an interruption in the regular ribbon chain conformation was interpreted as a component that modul ated the mechanical strength of the cell wall. The trilaminar layer fractio ns consisted mostly of algaenan and cellulose. Evidence for ether linkages between glucose C-6 in the beta-1,4-glucan and algaenan was obtained.