ISOLATION an‎d CHARACTERIZATION OF KAPPA CARRAGEENAN FROM HYPNEA MUSCIFORMIS (RED ALGAE) OF KARACHI COAST

Hypnea musciformis collected from Karachi coast of Pakistan was used for isolation of a thickening andemulsifying agent “Carrageenan”. Various extraction procedures (extraction 1-6) were employed and theyield of carrageenan obtained was in the range 34-44%. Total sugar was found 31.8-55.4%, 3,6-anhydrogalactose of total sugar was in the range of 19.9-27.6%. Sulphate and ash content were high 14.8-41% and 15.4-53% respectively. The positive rotation of these polysaccharides indicated a predominanceof α-D glycosidic linkages in their structure. IR spectral studies showed kappa carrageenan as majorphycolloid with a very small contaminant of iota type carrageenan, λ type was not detected.Polysaccharide obtained showed a positive elicitor activity in Garden Peas (Pisum sativum). HPLCanalysis provided a single major component.