Abstract
Floridoside (2-α-O-D-galactopyranosyl glycerol) is a glycerol glycoside that is biosynthesised by most species of red algae and has been implicated as an intracellular regulator of various homeostatic functions. Here, we report the identification of two unforeseen crystal forms of the ubiquitous natural osmolyte floridoside including a seemingly unheralded second anhydrous conformational polymorph and the unambiguous description of an elusive monohydrated variant. By employing a variety of thermal and spectroscopic techniques, we begin to explore both their macro and molecular physicochemical properties, which are notably different to that of the previously reported polymorph. This work advances the characterisation of this important natural biomolecule which could aid in facilitating optimised utilisation across a variety of anthropocentric applications and improve comprehension of its role in-vivo as a preeminent compatible solute.
Highlights
Floridoside (2-α-O-D-galactopyranosyl glycerol) is a glycerol glycoside that is biosynthesised by most species of red algae and has been implicated as an intracellular regulator of various homeostatic functions
Floridoside (2-α-O-D-galactopyranosyl glycerol, Fig. 1) is an important, naturally occurring glycerol glycoside biosynthesised by most species of red algae (Rhodophyta)[1]
This itself is perhaps surprising given; (i) the propensity for close structural relatives, namely polyhydroxyl pyranoses such as D-allose, Dtrehalose, and D-lactose to exhibit polymorphism and (ii) that its existence has been acknowledged for close to 100 years[29,30,31,32]
Summary
Floridoside (2-α-O-D-galactopyranosyl glycerol) is a glycerol glycoside that is biosynthesised by most species of red algae and has been implicated as an intracellular regulator of various homeostatic functions. The initial mass loss was absent during high-temperature TGA both decompositions remained consistent (Fig. 3b), suggesting that heating in vacuo had removed the water but otherwise unaffected the carbohydrate and inorganic components.
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