ABSTRACT
Laminarins are low-molecular-mass polysaccharides (2000–7000 Da) found in brown seaweeds, specifically in kelps of the Laminariales and Fucales. Laminarin as a storage β-glucan, is composed of chains of β-1,3′- linked glucose units with occasional β-1,6′-linkages. These β-1,6′-linkages are present in a linear chain of β-1,3′-linked glucose residues and as interchain linkages they are leading to a ramification of the molecule. The amount of laminarin extracted from brown algae varies depending on species, season, habitat, and also on the extraction procedures used. A reliable and precise method for extraction using a water-based method and identification, characterization, and quantification of laminarin using a liquid chromatography–mass spectrometrical method (LC–MS) is described.
Keywords: Brown algae, LC–MS, laminarin, mannitol, carbon storage
