STUDIES ON AGAK-AGAR IN JAPAN 



221 



drolysis, it may be possible to conclude the existence of the above linkage 

 (Fig. B), in the molecule of agar-agar (26): 



CH- 



HO-C-H H-C-OH 



I /3o I 



H-C I O C-H O 



H-C 7 HO-C-H 



H-C 



H^C 



CH2OH 



Fig. B 



Further it must be mentioned that the partial methanolysis product 

 of agar gives about 50% of agarobiose dimethylacetal. 



The above-mentioned experimental results cannot be explained by 

 the formula proposed by Jones and Peat (1941), showing that nine re- 

 sidues of D-galacto-pyranose are combined mutually by 1,3-glycosidic 

 linkage and at reducing end of D-galactose residue joins L-galactose-6- 

 sulphate or 3,6-anhydro-L-galactose through 1,4-linkage, but rather it 

 may be explained better by the assumption that in the molecule of agar, 

 agarobiose units are repeated. 



Comparative studies on the chemical constituents of agarous sub- 

 stance of Gelidium Amansii, Cmnpylaephora Hypnaeoides, Acanthopel- 

 tis Japonica, and Gelidium subcostatum have been reported. 



REFERENCES 



1) Yanagawa, T. Kanten (Agar-agar) , Book (Japanese), 352 pages (1942). 



2) Araki, C. J. Chem. Soc. Japan; 58, 1085 (1937). 



3) Takayama, K. J. Fish. Sci.; 34, 211 (1939). 



4) KiNOSHITA, T. (1950). 



5) SUTO, S. Bull. Jap. Soc. Sci. Fish.; 15, 671 (1950). 



6) Ueda, S. and M. Katada. Ibid.; 11, 175 (1943). 



7) Katada, M. Ibid.; 15, 359 (1949). 



8) Okamura, K. J. Imp. Fish. Inst.; 13, (3), (1921). 



9) Ueda, S. Bull. Jap. Soc. Sci. Fish.; 5, 183 (1936). 



10) Takamatsu, M. Trans. Res. Inst. Nat. Resources; 6, 55 (1944). 



11) Ueda, S. and M. Katada. Bull. Jap. Soc. Sci. Fish.; 15, 354 (1949). 



