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Unravelling secondary structure changes on individual anionic polysaccharide chains by atomic force microscopy.

Larissa Schefer1, Jozef Adamcik, Raffaele Mezzenga

  • 1Food & Soft Materials Science, Institute of Food, Nutrition & Health, Department of Health Sciences & Technology, ETH Zürich, Schmelzbergstraße 9, LFO E23, 8092 Zürich (Switzerland) http://www.ifnh.ethz.ch/lwm.

Angewandte Chemie (International Ed. in English)
|April 18, 2014
PubMed
Summary

Carrageenan polysaccharides undergo structural changes in salt solutions. Iota-carrageenan forms a rigid, single-chain helix, resolving a long-standing scientific debate.

Keywords:
atomic force microscopycarbohydratescoil-helix transitionconformation analysispolymer physics

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Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Polymer Science
  • Biophysical Chemistry

Background:

  • Carrageenan polysaccharides are widely used in food and biomedical applications.
  • Understanding their structural conformations is crucial for optimizing their functionality.
  • Previous studies have debated the helical structures formed by carrageenan.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the structural conformations of iota- and lambda-carrageenan.
  • To determine the effect of monovalent salt on carrageenan structures.
  • To resolve the debate on the existence of single or double helices in ordered carrageenan.

Main Methods:

  • Atomic force microscopy (AFM) was employed to visualize carrageenan structures.
  • Polymer statistical analysis was used to quantify structural parameters.
  • Experiments were conducted under physiological salt conditions.

Main Results:

  • Iota-carrageenan exhibited a coil-to-helix transition at high ionic strength.
  • Lambda-carrageenan remained in a coiled state under tested conditions.
  • Persistence length increased significantly for helical iota-carrageenan, indicating enhanced rigidity.
  • A unimeric helix, formed by a single carrageenan chain, was conclusively demonstrated.

Conclusions:

  • The study resolves the long-standing debate regarding carrageenan helix formation.
  • A single polymer chain can form an intramolecular helix (unimeric helix).
  • The findings provide critical insights into carrageenan structural dynamics and rigidity.