Marine Chemistry Volume 111, Issues 3–4, 16 September 2008, Pages 184–198 Cover image Benthic mucilaginous aggregates in the Mediterranean Sea: Origin, chemical composition and polysaccharide characterization Gianfranco Sartonia, Ranieri Urbanib, Paola Sistb, Daniela Bertoc, Caterina Nuccioa, Michele Gianic, Corresponding author contact information, E-mail the corresponding author, E-mail the corresponding author a Department of Plant Biology, University of Firenze, Italy b Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Macromolecular Chemistry, University of Trieste, Italy c Istituto Centrale per la Ricerca Scientifica e Tecnologica Applicata al Mare, ICRAM, Chioggia, Italy Received 22 February 2007. Revised 16 May 2008. Accepted 21 May 2008. Available online 11 July 2008. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.marchem.2008.05.005, How to Cite or Link Using DOI Permissions & Reprints Abstract Benthic mucilaginous aggregates are frequently formed in various parts of the Mediterranean basin, as in the Tyrrhenian and Adriatic Seas. Notwithstanding their wide spatial distribution, the role played by these aggregates in the biogeochemical cycling of organic matter is still largely unknown. The characteristics of the benthic aggregates examined in the present study showed that they are different from other mucilaginous aggregates, such as the “pelagic” ones that can form in the same areas in the water column and subsequently sediment to the seafloor. The aggregates are usually formed of structures of the filamentous macroalgae Acinetospora crinita, Chrysonephos lewisii and Nematochrysopsis marina. The elemental composition of the aggregates showed a marine macrophyte origin on the basis of the bulk organic matter content of the aggregates. Carbohydrates and proteins account for 26.6 to 55.9% of the organic carbon in the mucilage, respectively. Monosaccharide composition of exopolysaccharides in the mucilage aggregates revealed a characteristic pattern, with galactose, xylose or mannose and fucose as the major components. The relatively high content of deoxysugars is another distinctive feature. The abundant sulphate and uronic groups present in the polysaccharides in addition to their macromolecular dimensions and elongation contribute to inter-chain aggregation. Electron microscopic observations suggest that the polysaccharide fraction is the main macromolecular component in the formation of the persistent gel network in the aggregates.

Benthic Mucilaginous Aggregates in the Mediterranean Sea: Origin, Chemical Composition and Polysaccharide Characterization / G. Sartoni; R. Urbani; P. Sist; D. Berto; C. Nuccio; M. Giani. - In: MARINE CHEMISTRY. - ISSN 0304-4203. - STAMPA. - 111 (3-4):(2008), pp. 184-198. [10.1016/j.marchem.2008.05.005]

Benthic Mucilaginous Aggregates in the Mediterranean Sea: Origin, Chemical Composition and Polysaccharide Characterization

SARTONI, GIANFRANCO;NUCCIO, CATERINA;
2008

Abstract

Marine Chemistry Volume 111, Issues 3–4, 16 September 2008, Pages 184–198 Cover image Benthic mucilaginous aggregates in the Mediterranean Sea: Origin, chemical composition and polysaccharide characterization Gianfranco Sartonia, Ranieri Urbanib, Paola Sistb, Daniela Bertoc, Caterina Nuccioa, Michele Gianic, Corresponding author contact information, E-mail the corresponding author, E-mail the corresponding author a Department of Plant Biology, University of Firenze, Italy b Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Macromolecular Chemistry, University of Trieste, Italy c Istituto Centrale per la Ricerca Scientifica e Tecnologica Applicata al Mare, ICRAM, Chioggia, Italy Received 22 February 2007. Revised 16 May 2008. Accepted 21 May 2008. Available online 11 July 2008. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.marchem.2008.05.005, How to Cite or Link Using DOI Permissions & Reprints Abstract Benthic mucilaginous aggregates are frequently formed in various parts of the Mediterranean basin, as in the Tyrrhenian and Adriatic Seas. Notwithstanding their wide spatial distribution, the role played by these aggregates in the biogeochemical cycling of organic matter is still largely unknown. The characteristics of the benthic aggregates examined in the present study showed that they are different from other mucilaginous aggregates, such as the “pelagic” ones that can form in the same areas in the water column and subsequently sediment to the seafloor. The aggregates are usually formed of structures of the filamentous macroalgae Acinetospora crinita, Chrysonephos lewisii and Nematochrysopsis marina. The elemental composition of the aggregates showed a marine macrophyte origin on the basis of the bulk organic matter content of the aggregates. Carbohydrates and proteins account for 26.6 to 55.9% of the organic carbon in the mucilage, respectively. Monosaccharide composition of exopolysaccharides in the mucilage aggregates revealed a characteristic pattern, with galactose, xylose or mannose and fucose as the major components. The relatively high content of deoxysugars is another distinctive feature. The abundant sulphate and uronic groups present in the polysaccharides in addition to their macromolecular dimensions and elongation contribute to inter-chain aggregation. Electron microscopic observations suggest that the polysaccharide fraction is the main macromolecular component in the formation of the persistent gel network in the aggregates.
2008
111 (3-4)
184
198
G. Sartoni; R. Urbani; P. Sist; D. Berto; C. Nuccio; M. Giani
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Utilizza questo identificatore per citare o creare un link a questa risorsa: https://hdl.handle.net/2158/339652
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