Glycoscience

A fucan sulphate found in brown marine algae (Phaeophyta-typically Fucus serratus, Ascophyllum nodosum (illustrated), Laminaria japonica and Macrocystis pyrifyra) and has been shown to have anticoagulant activity. The main constituents are α-1,4 and α-1,2 linked L-fucose sulphates although galactose also occurs and there are many variations of the basic structure found in different species of Phaeophyta.
The image was kindly provided by Prof Mike Guiry from Cork who runs ‘The Seaweed Site’.

L-Talose is a type of sugar that is found in plants and animals. It is a stereoselective, synthetic carbohydrate with the chemical formula C12H24O11. L-Talose has an anhydrous dextrose equivalent (DE) of 180. L-Talose is synthesized from D-glucal and D-talonol by a recombinant protein. The immobilization process has been shown to be successful for the production of L-talose as it prevents the loss of product due to adsorption on the surface of the reactor. Molecular modeling was used to determine that L-talose binds to carbonyl groups more strongly than other types of molecules. Anhydrous dextrose was shown to be an effective acceptor for L-talose because it reacts with hydroxyl groups at room temperature and pressure conditions. The nmr spectra show that the hydroxyl group interacts with hydrogen bonding and coordinate covalent bonding

4-Methoxyphenyl 2-acetamido-4-O-(2,3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-b-D-glucopyranosyl)-3,6-di-O-benzyl-2,3′:6′,4′:5″,6′″:5″′:3″″:4″″′:5″″′:6′″′-[1]benzothiadiazole (MTBT) is a synthetic monosaccharide sugar that is modified to have a 1,2,3,4,5 and 6 benzothiadiazole group. MTBT is a complex carbohydrate that is synthesized through methylation of the sugar followed by a click modification. It has been used in the synthesis of oligosaccharides and polysaccharides.

L-Altrose is a carbohydrate that is used as a nutrient and sweetener. It is a dextrose monomer with an L-arabinose side chain. L-Altrose has been shown to be a stereoselective carbon source that can be used in the synthesis of various biologically active compounds, such as antibiotics. L-Altrose has also been shown to stimulate growth of yeast cells in the absence of oxygen by providing an extracellular carbon source. This compound can be hydrolyzed by ring-opening or benzoylation reactions to yield dextrose.

Curdlan is a microbial polysaccharide produced by a mutant strain of Alcaligenes faecalis var. myxogenes which was first shown to produce succinoglucan prior to mutation. Curdlan is a β-1,3 glucan forming clear solutions at about 55 °C which then gels (“low-set”) when cooled. Suspensions of curdlan at higher temperatures form firm resilient gels (“high set”) that melt at 140 - 160 °C.
The image was kindly provided by Dr. Chris Lawson.

Cellobionic acid is produced by oxidative enzymes working on cellulose.  These compounds have found application in cosmetic antiaging formulations, moisturizers, and peels, and in treatment products to improve hyperpigmentation and acne. The bionic acids such as cellobionic acid offer the benefits of α-hydroxyacids without irritation. They also provide additional antioxidant/chelation, barrier strengthening, and moisturizing effects.

2,3,5-Tri-O-benzyl-b-D-ribofuranose is a synthetic monosaccharide that is used in the synthesis of complex carbohydrates such as glycosylation and polysaccharides. One use for this chemical is to modify the sugar moiety with methyl groups, yielding 2,3,5-tri-O-methyl b-D-ribofuranose. This modification helps prevent the sugar from being metabolized by enzymes in the body. The chemical can also be fluorinated to yield 2,3,5-trifluoro b-D-ribofuranose.

Sucrose octabenzoate is a practically colorless, odorless, transparent, glass-like material which is compatible with a number of synthetic resins, such as polyvinyl chloride, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer, polyvinyl acetate and cellulose acetate. Sucrose octabenzoate improves the hardness and gloss of these products and has also been found to be useful as a component of inks, adhesives, coatings and plastic objects.