INFRARED-ANALYSIS OF 11 CARRAGEENOPHYTES FROM BAJA-CALIFORNIA, MEXICO

Infrared analyses of the carrageenan in ten species (representing four genera) of Gigartinaceae and one species of Hypneaceae in different reproductive phases from the northwestern coast of Baja California were studied. Cystocarpic samples of the Gigartinaceae presented varying degrees of a k{cyrillic}/ι 'hybrid'. The degree of hybridization was determined based on the ratio between the peak absorbances at 805/845 cm-1. A high correlation was observed between the 805/845 cm-1 and 805/970 cm-1 ratios. Tetrasporic samples of Gigartina leptorhynchos, Iridaea splendens, Rhodoglossum affine and R. roseum, presented a λ-carrageenan profile, whereas Gigartina tepida, G. exasperata, G. harveyana, G. canaliculata and G. spinosa presented a ε-carrageenan. The tetrasporic sample of Hypnea valentiae showed a κ-carrageenan with a very low degree of hybridization. © 1990 Kluwer Academic Publishers.