• BMB Reports
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• v.39 no.5
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• pp.546-555
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• 2006

An acidic polysaccharide fraction that had high anti-complementary activity was isolated from the stems of Grey Mangrove in 0.15% yield. The final fractions was designated HAM-3-IIb-II. The polysaccharide fraction appeared to be homogenous by high performance size exclusion chromatography with an estimated molecular weight of 105 kDa. The isolated polysaccharide is more effective than polysaccharide K (PSK) in its anti-complementary activity at 58 ${\mu}g/ml$ of PSK and 23 ${\mu}g/ml$ of HAM-3-IIb-II that inhibit 50% of complement activity in the complement fixation assay. Structural studies indicated that HAM-3-IIb-II was rich in galacturonic acid along with arabinose, galactose and rhamnose, characterizing a pectin-type polysaccharide, which was also confirmed by FT-IR spectrum. The presence of rich neutral sugar side chains of arabinogalactans may have contributed to the expression of high activity. Traditionally, this mangrove plant is used for medicinal purposes and it appears to have some scientific applications.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.61-65
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• 2004

To elucidate the trophic relationships within a subtropical wetland, the profile of fatty acids in producers, consumers and sediments of the mangrove forest and intertidal mudflat was studied. Results indicated a close relationship in fatty acid profiles between the mangrove plants Aegiceras corniculatum and Avicennia marina and the sesarmid crab Sesarma bidens, and between the fiddler crab Uca arcuata and diatoms. The fatty acid profile of the mudskippers Boleophthalmus pectinirostris and Periophthalmus cantonensis, however, showed a mixed diet of diatoms, macroalgae, protozoa and crabs. Seasonal changes in fatty acid profiles in mangrove plants, sediments and sesarmid crabs were noted. The implication of using fatty acids as tracer of trophic relationships was discussed.