Polysaccharide Compounds Research Articles

Minerals, polysaccharides and antioxidant properties of aqueous solutions obtained from macroalgal beach-casts in the Noto Peninsula, Ishikawa, Japan

To clarify the useful properties of the macroalgal beach-casts for food, we determined mineral, water-soluble polysaccharide and total phenolic compound contents and antioxidant properties of aqueous solutions obtained from frond of eight brown and four green algae. These algae were washed ashore from the East Sea (the Sea of Japan) to the northeast beaches of the Noto Peninsula in autumn. There were fresh and large amounts of Ecklonia stolonifera (Es), Ecklonia kurome (Ek), Sargassum ringgoldianum subsp. coreanum (Sr) and Sargassum macrocarpum on the beaches. Potassium, magnesium and calcium ions were high in Sr-solution. High molecular weight water-soluble polysaccharide, mainly alginates, and relative viscosity were also high in Sr-solution. Both Es and Ek solutions showed high contents of total phenolic compounds and high antioxidant activities, including DPPH radical- and hydroxyl radical-scavenging and ferrous reducing power. On the other hand, the highest superoxide anion radical-scavenging activity was in the Sr solution. In the case of Sr, the same antioxidant properties were also found in the aqueous solution obtained from stem. These results suggest that some macroalgal beach-casts, especially Sr, can be utilised as new natural resources for functional foods, cosmetics, medical applications and fertilizer instead of being processed to landfill or incineration.

Effect of phytoplankton growth on air bubble residence time in seawater

Laboratory experiments were carried out in a seawater mesocosm tank to investigate the influence of marine phytoplankton growth on air bubble residence time (BRT). Air bubbles of 10–1000 μm in diameter were injected by flushing a water jet into the top of the tank and BRT was determined acoustically. The tank was filled with seawater containing a natural phytoplankton population and growth stimulated by irradiating with artificial fluorescent light. A second experiment was conducted using a monoculture of the diatom Cylindrotheca closterium. BRT and several phytoplankton growth‐related parameters (chlorophyll concentration, dissolved inorganic nutrients, dissolved organic carbon (DOC), oxygen saturation and bacteria numbers) as well as the water viscosity were monitored over periods of up to 24 days. BRT showed a statistically significant covariation with oxygen saturation (r = 0.69, α = 0.01 for natural phytoplankton; r = 0.93, α = 0.01 for the Cylindrotheca closterium) and chlorophyll concentration (r = 0.69, α = 0.05 natural phytoplankton; r = 0.76, α = 0.01 Cylindrotheca closterium) during phytoplankton growth periods. Increases in BRT of a factor >2 were found during the chlorophyll maximum, when the water was sufficiently supersaturated with oxygen (∼>110%). No clear relationship was evident between BRT and measurements of DOC or water viscosity. Model experiments with highly oxygen‐supersaturated water and artificial polysaccharide compounds indicated that oxygen supersaturation alone is not the main factor causing increased BRT during phytoplankton growth, but it is most likely a combination of the degree of gas saturation and the composition of the organic exudates derived from the microalgal population.

Nitrogen compounds and polysaccharides changes during the biological ageing of sherry wines

Biologically aged sherry wines are elaborated by the so called “criadera” and “solera” system, which essentially involves development of the yeast on the wine surface forming a film velum for several years. In this work, a study on the changes that take place in polysaccharide and nitrogen compounds during the elaboration of sherry wines has been undertaken. The evolution of monosaccharides derived from polysaccharides as well as of amino acids and polypeptides have been investigated in wine samples at different stages of the elaboration process (young wines, “sobretablas”, “criaderas” and “solera”). Mannose, galactose, glucose and arabinose were detected in all analyzed wines; mannose being the most abundant carbohydrate, particularly in wines that aged longer. Glucose and galactose content also increased during the biological ageing of these wines, whereas arabinose concentration lowered during all period. Nitrogen compounds experimented a decrease and even some amino acids were not detected at the end of the ageing. Considering the increase in mannose and the decrease in amino acid levels, it is presumable that autolysis and growth of yeast occur at the same time during the elaboration of the sherry wines.

Isolation and purification of sulfated anticoagulant compound from fermented Irish moss (Chondrus ocellatus)

Natural fermentation was carried out to extract the soluble polysaccharide containing anticoagulant activity from red seaweed Chondrus ocellatus. Polysaccharide having anticoagulant activity was purified by ion exchange followed by gel filtration chromatography. The anticoagulant activity was determined by activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), prothrombin time (PT), and thrombin time (TT) assays. The polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed that the molecular mass of purified polysaccharide was 500 kDa and a single spot on agarose gel confirmed that the compound was purified. The concentration of the purified anticoagulant was 360 μg/mL and it showed more than 1000 (>1000) APTT and TT activity at the concentration of 162.0 μg/mL. However, the purified polysaccharide showed weaker anticoagulant activity compared to the heparin (183 IU/mg) equivalents. The purified anticoagulant showed 17% protein and 29.6% sulfate content suggesting that the compound is sulfated proteoglycan. As polysaccharides from seaweeds are good alternative sources for anticoagulant activity and can be used in a technique of fermentation because it is inexpensive and available, this purified anticoagulant polysaccharide compound could be used in pharmaceutical and biomedical industry.

The Stimulatory Activities of Polysaccharide Compounds Derived from Algae Extracts on Insulin Secretion in Vitro

We prepared two series of polysaccharide compounds derived from algae extracts and investigated their stimulatory activity on insulin secretion in vitro using the rat pancreatic cell line, RIN-5F. Several of the compounds exhibited significant stimulatory activity in a dose-dependent manner without apparent cytotoxicity at concentrations above 10 microM. Glybenclamide, a commonly prescribed sulfonylurea (SU) against diabetes mellitus type II, was used as a positive control and showed moderate cytotoxicity in the cell culture assay system. Amylin (IAPP; islet amyloid polypeptide), an inhibitor for glybenclamide, did not inhibit the activity of the isolated compounds, suggesting that they act through a mechanism(s) different from glybenclamide. Algae-derived extracts could be candidates for a new class of anti-diabetic drugs.

Novel anticoagulant compound from fermented red alga Pachymeniopsis elliptica

Natural fermentation was tested as a method of releasing active compounds during screening for potential anticoagulant activity in three types of algae (Pachymeniopsis elliptica, Sargassum horneri, and Ulva pertusa). Freeze dried algae samples (2.5 g) were fermented by adding 75 g of sugar and 500 mL of water and thereafter kept at room temperature (25 °C) for 3 months. Activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), prothrombin time (PT), and thrombin time (TT) were measured every 2 weeks for 3 months to determine the optimum time for the highest activity. Fermented P. elliptica, (which had the highest activity) was subjected to anion exchange chromatography (DEAE-cellulose) and sepharose 4B gel permeation chromatography. The purified sample was analyzed by agarose-gel electrophoresis and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) to confirm the purification and to determine the molecular mass, respectively. The 360 μg/mL of purified compound (Mwt > 500,000 Da) had both APTT and PT activities (>1,000 s). However, at the concentrations of 180 μg/mL, purified compound and heparin showed 540 and >1,000 s APTT activity, respectively. Though, the purified compound of P. elliptica considered as a weaker anticoagulant than heparin, this purified anticoagulant polysaccharide could be considered as a good alternative source as an anticoagulant. Moreover, the technique of fermentation is an inexpensive and feasible, this purified anticoagulant polysaccharide compound could be used in pharmaceutical and biomedical industry. Further investigations need to be performed to determine the mechanism of this novel anticoagulant compound.

Organic carbon balance in Chilean volcanic soils after human intrusion and under different management practices

It is well known that humified soil organic matter (SOM) plays a central role in soil fertility due to its chemical and physical properties, especially by sustaining soil biological and related ecological equilibrium. Soil organic matter quantity and quality needs to be preserved in order to maintain soil productivity. In this study total organic carbon contents and their distribution were determined in several volcanic ash derived soils of Chile. Carbon balances are expressed in terms of a labile fraction (alkali-extractable less than 10.000 Dalton and polysaccharide compounds) and a stable fraction (fulvic, humic and humine compounds). The effects of different agronomic management on soil organic matter (SOM) quality and quantity are estimated and compared between agricultural and virgin forest soil sites. The results indicate that soils under native forest show a C level higher than agricultural soils. After human intrusion the stable C (m.w.>10,000 Daltons), viewed as a measurement of the humification grade, shows a mean value of 70% over the total C and follows the order: ultisols (‘Rojo arcillosos’)>andisols-placandepts (‘Ñadis’)>andisols-distrandepts (‘Trumaos’). C balance demonstrates that in agricultural soils the soluble C, or ‘labile C’ is increased and accounts for 12–30% of the total C; these organic compounds contribute largely to the solubilization, mobility and availability of plant nutrients but also enhance losses of organic carbon by lixiviation. By using the carbon balance methodology discussed in this work, changes of quality and quantity of SOM can be followed up. The SOM of Chilean volcanic soils is being degraded after human intrusion; this needs to be considered in cultivation of these soils in order to preserve their fundamental properties.

Isolation of Sulfated Anticoagulant Compound from Fermented Red SeaweedGrateloupia filicina

AbstractThe red algaGrateloupia filicinawas fermented with 0.15 g/mL sucrose at 25 C, and anticoagulant activity was measured biweekly up to the 10th wk by activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT). A sulfated polysaccharide compound having anticoagulant activity was purified from the sixth wk of fermentation by fast protein liquid chromatography using diethylaminoethyl cellulose followed by a sepharose‐4B column. The concentration of the purified sulfated anticoagulant polysaccharide was 136.65 μg/mL, and the sulfate concentration of the purified compound was 26.33 μg/mL. The presence of just a single spot on agarose gel electrophoresis confirmed that the compound was purified, and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed that the purified compound was of high molecular mass. The purified sulfated anticoagulant polysaccharide consisted of galactose, glucose, and mannose in an approximate molar ratio of 0.95 : 0.01 : 0.03. Both purified anticoagulant and commercial heparin showed >1000 sec APTT activity at 136.65 μg/mL. As the technique of fermentation is inexpensive, the purified anticoagulant compound could have significant potential in the medical and pharmaceutical industry.

The Interaction of Dietary Fibres with the Colon

The term dietary fibre describes a wide range of highly divergent (mainly polysaccharide) compounds that escape digestion before the colon. Fibre is often regarded as a neutral dietary compound, not interacting with the gut and only offering dietary benefit by the consequent absence of calorific macronutrients, or by bulking out luminal content. Although the above benefits are apparent, a number of other physiological effects of dietary fibres in the colon have previously been described. This review outlines these previous observations in terms of the effect of various fibre types on (i) colonic luminal contents (including the resident microflora (ii) the first line of colonic protection, the mucus barrier (iii) the underlying colonic mucosa (iv) the colonic musculature and (v) colonic neurohumoural release, and the subsequent effect on control of gut motility and satiety. This review will further highlight the divergent physiological effects of various fibre types, and their potential health benefits.

Rapid Detection and Identification of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli as Pure and Mixed Cultures in Bottled Drinking Water Using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy and Multivariate Analysis

Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and multivariate analysis were used to identify Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 inoculated into bottled drinking water. Three inoculation treatments were examined: (i) E. coli ATCC 25922 (N = 3), (ii) P. aeruginosa (N = 3), and (iii) a 1:1 (v:v) mixed culture of both P. aeruginosa and E. coli ATCC 25922 (N = 3). The control treatment was noninoculated drinking water (N = 3). Second derivative transformation and loadings plots over the range of 1800-900 cm(-1) indicate variations in the following bacterial constituents: amide I band ca. 1650 cm(-1), amide II band ca. 1540 cm(-1), phosphodiester backbone of nucleic acids ca. 1242 and 1080 cm(-1), and polysaccharide compounds ca. 1050-950 cm(-1). Cells with the different treatments were clearly segregated from a mean centered principal component analysis. By using soft independent modeling of class analogy analysis, spectra from a given treatment could be correctly classified 83-88% of the time. These results suggest that FT-IR spectroscopy can determine whether a pure culture is present, in addition to confirming that this method can discriminate between closely related bacteria based on differences in biochemical and phenotypic characteristics that can be detected in this spectral region.

Facile Synthesis of Hollow Carbon Nanospheres from Hollow Chitosan Nanospheres

Hollow carbon nanospheres (HCNS) with large surface area were synthesized from hollow chitosan nanospheres by one-step pyrolysis with a relatively low temperature (550 degrees C). The resulted HCNS is fully carbonized and partially graphitized under the experiment conditions. It is an important and facile method to prepare the uniform, shape- and size-controlled carbon nanomaterials by carbonization of the natural polysaccharide compounds and their derivatives. The as-prepared HCNS has a narrow size distribution in hollow carbon nanospheres (about 53 nm). The structure and size of HCNS are reproducible and could be tunable by changing the preparation conditions. The characterizations to estimate the composition, decompose properties, crystalline form, structure and surface property of the HCNS were investigated using FT-IR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction measurement (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis, and the N2 adsorption-desorption isothermal process. The present preparation method makes it feasible to synthesize carbon nanospheres in abundance in the lab, and the synthesized HCNS could be a promising support for metal catalysts, an ideal matrix connecting with DNA or other bioactive substances.

Enzymatic Redesigning of Biologically Active Heparan Sulfate

Heparan sulfate carries a wide range of biological activities, regulating blood coagulation, cell differentiation, and inflammatory responses. The sulfation patterns of the polysaccharide are essential for the biological activities. In this study, we report an enzymatic method for the sulfation of multimilligram amounts of heparan sulfate with specific functions using immobilized sulfotransferases combined with a 3'-phosphoadenosine 5'-phosphosulfate regeneration system. By selecting appropriate enzymatic modification steps, an inactive precursor has been converted to the heparan sulfate having three distinct biological activities, associated with binding to antithrombin, fibroblast growth factor-2, and herpes simplex virus envelope glycoprotein D. Because the recombinant sulfotransferases are expressed in bacteria, and the method uses a low cost sulfo donor, it can be readily utilized to synthesize large quantities of anticoagulant heparin drug or other biologically active heparan sulfates.

QTL analysis of lignification and cell wall digestibility in the Bay-0 × Shahdara RIL progeny of Arabidopsis thaliana as a model system for forage plant

Lignification and the complex relationships between lignins and polysaccharide or protein wall components are the basic cause of reduced digestibility in silage maize and other forage crops. Even if major genes of the lignin pathway are known in different species of forage plants, several QTL explaining a significant part of genetic variation either for lignin content or for cell wall digestibility in maize seem to have no colocalization with major genes of the lignin pathway, or their involvement is not yet entirely established. Cell wall and lignin contents, and cell wall digestibility, were thus investigated in an available Arabidopsis RIL progeny, using mature floral stems as organs representative of maize stalks and forage grass hays. Putative candidate genes underlying QTL were then looked for from genomic data available in Arabidopsis databases. Four QTL of cell wall digestibility were found on chromosomes 2, 4, and 5, but unlike previous observations in maize, these QTL were always associated with cell wall content QTL. Two QTL of lignin content in the cell wall were found on chromosome 3, without any colocalization with cell wall content or digestibility QTL. Only two putative candidate genes involved in the lignin monolignol pathway colocalized with found QTL. The PAL4 gene (At3g10340) and the CAD-C gene (At3g19450) positions were both located in the support interval of a QTL of KL/NDF on chromosome 3. However, laccases, peroxidases, and myb transcription factors were also found in the support interval of cell wall digestibility QTL. Genes involved in biosynthesis of polysaccharide and protein compounds of the cell wall were also found colocalizing with cell wall content QTL. The high differences between a floral stem of dicotyledons and a stalk of C4 monocotyledon, in anatomy, tissue patterning, lignin structure and specificity cross-linkage by hydroxycinnamic acids in grass cell walls could explain the difference observed between Arabidopsis and maize. However, the model plant Arabidopsis was proven as very efficient in evidencing genes of the lignin pathway from knocked-out genes, and such a RIL analysis should allow the evidencing of still unknown genes also involved in stem cell wall digestibility.

Comparative culturing of Pleurotus spp. on coffee pulp and wheat straw: biomass production and substrate biodegradation

The results of the cultivation of six strains of Pleurotus ( P. djamor (2), P. ostreatus (2) and P. pulmonarius (2)) on coffee pulp and wheat straw are presented. Metabolic activity associated with biomass of each strain was determined, as well as changes in lignin and polysaccharides (cellulose and hemicellulose), phenolic and caffeine contents in substrate samples colonized for a period of up to 36 days. Analysis were made of changes during the mycelium incubation period (16 days) and throughout different stages of fructification. Greater metabolic activity was observed in the wheat straw samples, with a significant increase between 4 and 12 days of incubation. The degradation of polysaccharide compounds was associated with the fruiting stage, while the reduction in phenolic contents was detected in both substrates samples during the first eight days of incubation. A decrease was observed in caffeine content of the coffee pulp samples during fruiting stage, which could mean that some caffeine accumulates in the fruiting bodies.

Synthesis and characterization of partially biodegradable, temperature and pH sensitive Dex–MA/PNIPAAm hydrogels

The objective of the study is to impart temperature and pH-sensitive capabilities to polysaccharide-based hydrogels, so that they can change their swelling property upon external stimulation like temperature or/and pH. Dextran was chosen as the model polysaccharide compound for such a demonstration. A novel class of dextran–maleic anhydride (Dex–MA)/poly( N-isopropylacrylamide) hybrid hydrogels was designed and synthesized by UV photocrosslinking. The dextran-based precursor (Dex–MA) was prepared by substituting the hydroxyl groups in Dex by MA. This Dex–MA precursor was then photocrosslinked with a known temperature sensitive precursor ( N-isopropylacrylamide, NIPAAm) to form hybrid hydrogels having a wide range of composition ratio of Dex–MA to NIPAAm precursors. Due to the biodegradable nature of dextran, these Dex–MA/PNIPAAm hybrid hydrogels are partially biodegradable. These smart hybrid hydrogels were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy for structural determination, differential scanning calorimertry for thermal property, maximum swelling ratio, swelling kinetics, temperature response kinetics, and effect of pH. The data obtained clearly show that these new smart hybrid hydrogels were responsive to the external changes of temperature as well as pH. The magnitude of smart and hydrogel properties of these hybrid hydrogels were found to depend on the feed composition ratio of the two precursors. By changing the composition ratio of these two precursors, the phase transition temperature (lower critical solution temperature) of the hybrid hydrogels could also be adjusted to be or near the body temperature for the potential applications in bioengineering and biotechnology fields.

Comparison between Immunostimulatory Activity and Molecular Structure of Different Polysaccharides

Background: We previously reported that ginsan, a polysaccharide extracted from Panax ginseng had an immunostimulatory activity such as mitogenic activity, activation of macrophages and killer cells, and production of a variety of cytokines which resulted in antitumor and antiseptic effects. We further purified -(16)-glucan and -(26)-fructan from the ginsan with size exclusion and ion-exchange column chromatography successively. In this study, we performed the structure-based activity of ginsan by comparison with known polysacchrides such as -glucan, curdlan, laminarin, levan, dextran, lentinan and OK-432. Methods: To investigate the immunostimulatory activity of several polysaccharide compounds, we investigated the stimulation of lymphocytes proliferation, the generation of activated killer cells and the secretion of nitrites from activated macrophages. Results: Of polysaccharides tested, curdlan and ginsan stimulated lymphocyte proliferation, suggesting that the molecular weight and composition of polysaccharide are dependent on the mitogenic activity. The production of nitric oxide was significantly increased in curdlan, levan, ginsan and its fraction, indicating that fructan has also capacity to activate macrophages and may devote to kill pathogens. In addition, the activation of macrophages was seemed to be independent of molecular weight of polysaccharide. The generation of AK cells was exhibited in order of curdlan, OK-432> F1, ginsan, F3> levan> etc. The AK activity may be dependent on molecular weight and composition of polysaccharides. Conclusion: Unfortunately, purified polysaccharide from ginsan were less active on immunostimulatory activity than mixed compounds of polysaccharides. From the viewpoint of structure and activity relationships, we found several characteristic features.

Fibres for wound dressings based on mixed carbohydrate polymer fibres

Polysaccharide-based dressings have increasingly become viable alternatives to somewhat incompatible and often problematic cotton or viscose gauzes traditionally used for wound dressings. Abundant availability of alginates and their relative ease of reversible solubility in particular have been instrumental in their development into fibres and lately their application as vehicles for delivering drugs. This paper reports on the spinning efficiency of various alginate types (i.e. differing mannuronic/guluronic acid ratios) in a laboratory-based extrusion system and explores the effect of proportional inclusion of a second polysaccharide compound, an arabinoxylan named branan ferulate, on tensile properties of the resulting fibres. It was shown that in the chemical assessment of the fibres, that arabinose content, one of the branan ferulate component monosaccharides, could be used as a means of estimating the branan ferulate content of the fibre. Utilising such an analytical approach has enabled the branan ferulate contents of the fibres to be assessed. Accordingly there need be little anxiety over branan ferulate losses during the production of branan ferulate/alginate fibres by the wet spinning production method.

Control of acid polysaccharide production and 234Th and POC export fluxes by marine organisms

Ratios of particulate organic carbon (POC) to particulate 234Th activities (POC/234Th) in the ocean are used to determine the POC export flux, and thus, the power of the biological pump. In order to understand the main reasons why this ratio frequently varies as a function of depth, size, and kind (suspended vs. sinking particles), we measured vertical profiles in a cold core ring and warm core ring in the Gulf of Mexico in May 2001. Here we show that particulate 234Th/POC ratios in the Gulf of Mexico are positively correlated to the content of different Th(IV)‐binding polysaccharide fractions (uronic acids, total acid polysaccharides, total polysaccharides) in both suspended and sinking particles as well as to prymnesiophyte abundance, but negatively correlated to bacterial production. Variations in acid polysaccharide compounds, produced by both algae and bacteria, but degraded only by bacteria, can account for observed variations in POC/234Th ratios seen in the ocean.

Ecological implications of mass growth of benthic cyanobacteria in rivers

AME Aquatic Microbial Ecology Contact the journal Facebook Twitter RSS Mailing List Subscribe to our mailing list via Mailchimp HomeLatest VolumeAbout the JournalEditorsSpecials AME 32:175-184 (2003) - doi:10.3354/ame032175 Ecological implications of mass growth of benthic cyanobacteria in rivers S. Sabater1,2,*, E. Vilalta2, A. Gaudes2, H. Guasch1, I. Muñoz2, A. Romaní1 1Department of Environmental Sciences and Institute of Aquatic Ecology, University of Girona, Campus Montilivi, 17071 Girona, Spain 2Department of Ecology, University of Barcelona, Avinguda Diagonal 645, 08028 Barcelona, Spain *Email: sergi.sabater@udg.es ABSTRACT: The environmental and biological factors related to the wax and wane of benthic cyanobacteria were analysed in a river system (Llobregat River, NE Spain) with high nutrient content and low discharge. The cyanobacterial masses grew from early January to the end of May in shallow areas and extended progressively towards the riffle zones. Significant fractions of the mats became progressively unattached and free-floating, dispersing downstream and showing different structural and physiological characteristics. Chlorophyll a was slightly higher for the free-floating (34.6 ± 19 μg cm-2) than for the attached compartments (24.9 ± 19.5 μg cm-2). The exoenzymatic b-glucosidase, phosphatase (APA) and aminopeptidase (AMA) activities were higher in the free-floating than in the attached mats. The low APA:AMA ratio indicated that nitrogen limitation could affect both the attached and the free-floating mats. This situation was coincident with a peak in geosmin production, suggesting that nitrogen limitation could trigger the increase of geosmin in the cyanobacterial mats. The decay dynamics of the free-floating mats was revealed by higher AMA and b-glucosidase activities, which could be activated by the release of proteinaceous and polysaccharidic compounds of degrading cells. The degradation processes occurring within the mat could favour geosmin release into the water. Moreover, the large number of meiofauna in the free-floating mat could contribute both to the degradation process and to the release and diffusion of the geosmin in the river. KEY WORDS: Cyanobacteria · Geosmin · Exoenzyme activities · Nutrient limitation · Chlorophyll Full text in pdf format PreviousNextExport citation RSS - Facebook - Tweet - linkedIn Cited by Published in AME Vol. 32, No. 2. Online publication date: June 06, 2003 Print ISSN: 0948-3055; Online ISSN: 1616-1564 Copyright © 2003 Inter-Research.

Characterisation of organic matter in sediment from Corin Reservoir, Australia

Analytical pyrolysis was performed to characterise the organic matter present in sediments from Corin Reservoir, a major water supply for Canberra, Australia. Pyrolysis of the whole sediment yielded furans, methoxyphenols, aliphatic products and nitrogenous compounds that are indicative of carbohydrates, lignin, lipids and proteins respectively. There was a decrease in the observed relative peak area of polysaccharide and lignin-derived marker compounds with increasing depth of sediment and an increase in nitrogenous marker compounds. In addition, eucalyptol, a molecular marker compound characteristic of eucalyptus—the dominant vegetation of the surrounding catchment—was detected.