Precise Structure of Acidic Polysaccharide Present in Salvia Hydrogels

Precise structures of acidic ß-(1,4)-xylan in the hydrogels from three species of Salvia (S. miltiorrhiza (SM), S. sclarea (SS) and S. viridis (SV)) were characterized. SS and SV contained two different acidic residues (4-O-methylglucuronic acid (MeGlcA) and glucuronic acid (GlcA)) substituted at O-2 of ß-(1,4)-linked xylopyranose residues, whereas MeGlcA is absent in SM. Molar ratios of xylose to uronic acid are 2.0 : 1.0 (SM), 1.7 : 1.0 (SS), 1.4 : 1.0 (SV). Distribution of acidic residues in the ß-(1,4)-xylan chains was analyzed by Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization (MALDI)/Time of Flight (TOF) mass spectroscopy after reduction and partial hydrolysis. The results showed that many series of ions appeared as sodium adducts [M+Na]+, indicating that uronic acid residues are randomly and mixed distributed in xylo-oligosaccharide chains in the SS and SV xylans. All species showed presence of oligosaccharides in ranges of m/z 833.3~2561.2 (SM), 657.2~1655.5 (SS) and 731.2~1421.5 (SV). Acidic residues in SS and SV are distributed in shorter xylo-oligosaccharides than those in SM, although complicated substituted profiles with MeGlcA and GlcA were similarly detected in SS and SV. Presence of long free xylan chains in the SM oligosaccharides supported lower number of substituent in its xylan backbone

Characterization of Cuticle Layer of Ilex Latifolia

Cuticular membranes were isolated from the upper and lower surfaces of Ilex latifolia leaves and their morphological, chemical compositional and mechanical properties were characterized. The upper cuticular membrane contained 18.6% wax, 53.5% cutin and 17.5% cutan with low contaminating carbohydrates (10.4%), while the lower cuticular membrane had the values of 17.9%, 49.2%, 15.8% and 17.1%. Both membranes were rich in aliphatic CH2 groups, and the main monomer of the cutin in the upper cuticular membrane was 9(10),18-dihydroxyhexadecanoic acid while 9,10,18-trihydroxyoctadecanoic acid in the lower membrane. Mechanical analyses indicate clear orientation differences in breaking stress and strain between the two membranes with higher breaking stress in the upper cuticular membrane and in the longitudinal direction parallel to the midvein. Additive such as a cellulosic hydrogel from Salvia viridis to make a composite influenced the mechnical properties of the cuticular membranes. Mechanical properties of the isolated cuticular membranes may be more influenced by their morphological properties than chemical compositions; thick and smooth structure of the upper cuticular membrane, while wrinkled and scattered stoma-rich structure of the lower cuticular membrane

Chemical Compositions of Hydrocolloids Produced From Nutlets of Salvias

Hydrocolloids of three species of Salvias (S. miltiorrhiza, S. sclarea and S. viridis) was analyzed their chemical compositions after isolation of hydrocolloids from seed coats. Isolation was conducted after expanding out completely in water. Hydrocolloids produced from S. miltiorrhiza, S. sclarea and S. viridis have cellulose contents about 18.6%, 25.3% and 35.4% and hemicelluloses contents about 80%, 73.4% and 62%, respectively. Native hydrocolloids produced from S. sclarea and S. viridis were rich in glucose about 48.6% and 55.4%, respectively, while the other one, S. miltiorrhiza, was rich in xylose, about 85.1%. Distribution of these polysaccharides in S. miltiorrhiza, S. sclarea and S. viridis were 86.5%, 71.0% and 63.2% (acidic polysaccharides) and 13.8%, 29.0% and 36.5% (neutral polysaccharide), respectively. Acidic polysaccharides of hydrocolloids produced from three species of Salvias contain high amount of xylose (88.8 ~ 91.9%). Neutral sugar compositions in neutral polysaccharides of hydrocolloids produced from three species of Salvias, however, were rich in glucose (25.7 ~ 37.5%) and galactose (31.3 ~ 60.4%), the ratio being changed depending on species. Acidic sugar in the acidic polysaccharides from three Salvia spp. was identified as glucuronic acid by High Performance Anion Exchange Chromatography (HPAEC). Glucuronic acid contents in the acidic fractions of S. miltiorrhiza, S. sclarea, S. viridis were estimated about 25%, 22% and 27%, respectively. These results elucidate that hydrocolloids have amorphous structure containing branch glucuronic acid in acidic polysaccharides structure. The present of glucuronic acid is predicted attach to xylan