Physicochemical and Microstructural Characteristics of Sulfated Polysaccharide from Marine Microalga
Diana Fimbres-Olivarria,
Jorge Marquez-Escalante,
Karla G. Martínez-Robinson,
Valeria Miranda-Arizmendi,
Yubia De Anda-Flores,
Agustín Rascon-Chu,
Francisco Brown-Bojorquez,
Elizabeth Carvajal-Millan
Affiliations
Diana Fimbres-Olivarria
Department of Scientific and Technological Investigations (DICTUS), University of Sonora, Blvd. Luis Donaldo Colosio, S/N, Hermosillo 83000, Sonora, Mexico
Jorge Marquez-Escalante
Research Center for Food and Development (CIAD, AC), Carretera Gustavo Enrique Astiazaran Rosas No. 46, Col. La Victoria, Hermosillo 83304, Sonora, Mexico
Karla G. Martínez-Robinson
Research Center for Food and Development (CIAD, AC), Carretera Gustavo Enrique Astiazaran Rosas No. 46, Col. La Victoria, Hermosillo 83304, Sonora, Mexico
Valeria Miranda-Arizmendi
Research Center for Food and Development (CIAD, AC), Carretera Gustavo Enrique Astiazaran Rosas No. 46, Col. La Victoria, Hermosillo 83304, Sonora, Mexico
Yubia De Anda-Flores
Research Center for Food and Development (CIAD, AC), Carretera Gustavo Enrique Astiazaran Rosas No. 46, Col. La Victoria, Hermosillo 83304, Sonora, Mexico
Agustín Rascon-Chu
Research Center for Food and Development (CIAD, AC), Carretera Gustavo Enrique Astiazaran Rosas No. 46, Col. La Victoria, Hermosillo 83304, Sonora, Mexico
Francisco Brown-Bojorquez
Department of Polymers, University of Sonora, Blvd. Luis Donaldo Colosio, S/N, Hermosillo 83000, Sonora, Mexico
Elizabeth Carvajal-Millan
Research Center for Food and Development (CIAD, AC), Carretera Gustavo Enrique Astiazaran Rosas No. 46, Col. La Victoria, Hermosillo 83304, Sonora, Mexico
Marine algae are a valuable source of polysaccharides. However, the information available on sulfated polysaccharides from microalgae is limited. Navicula sp. is a microalga present in the Sea of Cortez, of which little is known regarding their polysaccharides’ properties. This study investigated the physicochemical and microstructural characteristics of Navicula sp. sulfated polysaccharide (NSP). The Fourier transform infrared spectrum of NSP showed distinctive bands (1225 and 820 cm−1, assigned to S–O and C–O–S stretching, respectively), confirming the molecular identity. NSP registered molecular weight, intrinsic viscosity, a radius of gyration, and a hydrodynamic radius of 1650 kDa, 197 mL/g, 61 nm, and 36 nm, respectively. The zeta potential, electrophoretic mobility, conductivity, and diffusion coefficient of the molecule were −5.8 mV, −0.45 µm cm/s V, 0.70 mS/cm, and 2.9 × 10−9 cm2/s, respectively. The characteristic ratio and persistence length calculated for NSP were 4.2 and 1.3 nm, suggesting a nonstiff polysaccharide chain conformation. The Mark–Houwink–Sakurada α and K constants were 0.5 and 1.67 × 10−1, respectively, indicating a molecular random coil structure. NSP scanning electron microscopy revealed a rough and porous surface. Knowing these polysaccharides’ physicochemical and microstructural characteristics can be the starting point for elucidating their structure–function relationship as a valuable tool in advanced biomaterial design.
