Analytical pyrolysis as a taxonomic tool in Gracilaria (Rhodophyta: Gigartinales)

Chemical Characterization of Agar from an Agarophyte Grown in the Lagoon of Binh Tri Thien (Vietnam)

“…Small amounts of 4-0-methylgalactose and 2'-0-methyl-3,6-anhydrogalactose were detected by GLC and 13 C-NMR spectroscopy respectively. Both 6-0-methylgalactose and 4-0-methylgalactose have been found in many Gracilana species (Whyte and Englar 1980, Bird et al 1987, including G. vermcosa (Christiaen, 1986, Bird et al 1987, however 6-0-methylgalactose contents from this study were higher than previously observed. Note also that 2'-0-methyl-3,6-anhydrogalactose has been reported in G. tenuistipitata Chang et Xia, G. euchemoides Harvey and G. blodgettii Harvey ) but not in G. vermcosa (Christiaen 1986, Bird et al 1987.…”

“…These conclusions were based upon anatomical features (Junfu and Bangmei 1984) or chromosome numbers (Bird et al 1982). Several authors found that agar composition differed with algal species (Hong et al 1969) and used chemical analyses, together with morphological or anatomical observations, as criteria for distinguishing similar species (Bird et al 1987). In this case, the species investigated was morphologically similar to G. vermcosa, yet no definite identification has been made, as the seaweeds collected in the lagoon bore no reproductive features.…”

Thermochemical processing of macroalgae: a late bloomer in the development of third-generation biofuels?

“…Nevertheless, the pyrolysis of seaweed was still being researched for use as a novel taxonomic tool for distinguishing different macroalgal species, with subsequent gas chromatographic analyses acting as a finger print [102][103][104][105][106]. It was not until 1978, with the work of Morgan and Smith, that a comprehensive evaluation of how pyrolysis could be used to decompose macroalgae for biofuels was undertaken [107].…”

Recent approaches to the taxonomy of the Gracilariaceae (Gracilariales, Rhodophyta) and the Gracilaria verrucosa problem

“…These approaches increasingly are being supplemented by hybridization McLachlan et al, 1977 ;Yamamoto & Sasaki, 1988), chromosome number determination Gargiulo et al, 1987 ;McLachlan et al ., 1977 ;Yabu & Yamamoto, 1988), characterization of cell-wall polysaccharides (e .g . Bird et al, 1987 ;Craigie et al ., 1984), and molecular biology (Carroll, 1988 ;Goff & Coleman, 1988) . We propose here to review some recent approaches to taxonomy of the Gracilariaceae, and present some new findings toward an understanding of the widely distributed type species of Gracilaria, G .…”