Laminarin
The molecule laminarin (also known as laminaran) is a storage glucan (a polysaccharide of glucose) found in brown algae. It is used as a carbohydrate food reserve in the same way that chrysolaminarin is used by phytoplankton, especially in diatoms.[1] It is created by photosynthesis and is made up of β(1→3)-glucan with β(1→6)-branches. It is a linear polysaccharide, with a β(1→3):β(1→6) ratio of 3:1.[2] Its hydrolysis is catalyzed by enzymes such as laminarinase (EC 3.2.1.6) that breaks the β(1→3) bonds.[3] It has been suggested that the annual production of algae laminarin amounts to 12 ± 8 gigatons, i.e., about three times the annual atmospheric CO2 increase by fossil fuel burning, that its concentration is driven by light variability and that it contributes substantially to the carbon export from surface waters, as it may account for up to half of organic carbon in sinking diatom-containing particles.[4]
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Laminaran | |
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ECHA InfoCard | 100.029.726 |
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Properties | |
(C6H10O5)x | |
Molar mass | Variable |
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). | |
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References
- Beattie A, Hirst EL, Percival E (June 1961). "Studies on the metabolism of the Chrysophyceae". Biochem. J. England. 79: 531–537. PMC 1205682. PMID 13688276.
- Nisizawa K, Yamaguchi T, Handa N, Maeda M, Yamazaki H (November 1963). "Chemical nature of a uronic acid-containing polysaccharide in the peritrophic membrane of the silkworm". Journal of Biochemistry. Japan: Oxford University Press for Japanese Biochemical Society. 54: 419–426. ISSN 0021-924X. PMID 14089735.
- Salyers AA, Palmer JK, Wilkins TD (May 1977). "Laminarinase (beta-glucanase) activity in Bacteroides from the human colon". Appl Environ Microbiol. England. 33 (5): 1118–1124. PMC 170836. PMID 879772.
- Becker S, Tebben J, Coffinet, S, Wiltshire K, Hvitfeldt Iversen M, Harder, T, Hinrichs K-U, Hehemann, J-H (2020). Laminarin is a major molecule in the marine carbon cycle. PNAS.