title: Release and characterization of single side chains of white cabbage pectin and their complement-fixing activity.
abstract: A mixture of single side chains from white cabbage pectin were obtained by anion exchange chromatography after applying mild chemical conditions promoting beta-elimination. These pectin fragments were characterized by their molecular weight distribution, sugar composition, 13C-NMR, and MALDI-TOF-MS analysis. These analyses revealed that the large oligosaccharides released by beta-eliminative treatment were composed of alpha-1,5 linked arabinosyl residues with 2- and 3-linked alpha-arabinosyl side chains, and, or beta-1,4 linked galactosyl side chains. Fractions were tested for complement-fixing activity in order to determine their interaction with the complement system. These results strongly indicated that there was a minimal unit size responsible for the complement-fixing activity. Neutral pectin fragments (8 kDa) obtained from beta-elimination were inactive in the complement system, although they contained a sugar composition previously shown to be highly active. Larger pectin fragments (17 kDa) retained some activity, but much lower than polymers containing rhamnogalacturonan type 1 (RGI) structures isolated from the same source. This implied that structural elements containing multiple side chains is necessary for efficient complement-fixing activity.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Food Chemistry, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands. bjorge.westereng@umb.no
authors.forename: Bjorge
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Westereng
authors.forename: Gerd Jan
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Coenen
authors.forename: Terje Einar
authors.initials: TE
authors.lastname: Michaelsen
authors.forename: Alphons G J
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Voragen
authors.forename: Anne Berit
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Samuelsen
authors.forename: Henk A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Schols
authors.forename: Svein Halvor
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Knutsen
mesh_terms: D001937:Brassica / Q000737:chemistry*; D002241:Carbohydrates / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D003168:Complement Fixation Tests; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D008970:Molecular Weight; D010368:Pectins / Q000737:chemistry*; D019032:Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization
chemical_list: D002241:Carbohydrates; D010368:Pectins