Interaction of mucus with freshly neutralised aluminium in freshwater

This study examined the interaction of mollusc trail mucus, and its biochemical constituents, with environmentally relevant concentrations of freshly neutralised aluminium (Al) in freshwater. Upon neutralisation Al starts to polymerise. In the presence of mucus the metal is rapidly localised into the hydrated mucus gel resulting in a likely reduction of its overall degree of polymerisation. A simple Al binding assay identified large-M(r) glycoconjugates as major Al-complexing molecules in mucus. Subsequent isolation and purification of these mucus glycoconjugates showed the metal readily bound to the carbohydrate portion and, in particular, to acidic components such as those containing carboxyl functionality. It is suggested gel-forming extracellular glycoconjugates play a crucial role in preventing the diffusion of Al into biological systems and thus serve to maintain metabolic homeostasis.