Agars of Gelidiella acerosa of west and southeast coasts of India.

Seventeen agar samples were extracted from Gelidiella acerosa (Forsskal) Feldmann and Hamel (Rhodophyta, Gelidiales) specimens collected from nine different sites on the Indian coast-five from southeast coast and four from the west coast. The agar samples were analysed. The stability characteristics of the gels of selected agar samples were studied by rheometry under applied stress conditions, i.e. variation of the storage (G') and loss moduli (G'') were studied under varying frequency and duration (time) of the stress applied. Yield, apparent and dynamic viscosities, gelling and melting temperatures, 3,6-anhydrogalactose (3,6-AG), sulphate contents and TGA (Thermogravimetric Analysis) measurements of the products were done. It was observed that the best quality agar was produced by G. acerosa occurring in the Gulf of Mannar region in the southeast coast. The gel strengths and the viscosities of agars extracted from Gelidiella acerosa occurring in the Gulf of Mannar ranged from 500 to 700gcm(-2) and 33 to 45cP for 2001 collections and for 2002 collections the corresponding values were 450 to 845gcm(-2) and 55 to 67cP respectively. On the other hand, for the agar samples extracted from the west coast of India, the gel strength and viscosities values ranged from 225 to 400gcm(-2) and from 15 to 30cP, respectively. The agars obtained from G. acerosa collected from southeast coast have been found to be suitable for bacterial culture and molecular biology. This is the first report of superior quality of agar from the Indian agarophytes.

Sulphated polysaccharides of Codium dwarkense Boergs. from the west coast of India: chemical composition and blood anticoagulant activity.

Bioassay-guided purification of sulphated polysaccharides from a green marine alga, Codium dwarkense, yielded two products, which contained sulphated arabinan and sulphated arabinogalactan. The product containing arabinan sulphate exhibited stronger blood anticoagulant activity than the one containing sulphated arabinogalactan.

Bioactivity of marine organisms: Part VIII--Screening of some marine flora of western coast of India.

Methanolic extracts of 31 botanically identified species of marine flora, collected from Gujarat Coast, have been screened for a wide range of biological activities. Of these, 3 extracts showed anti-implantation, 2 had antiviral, 2 showed hypotensive, 1 had anti-inflammatory while 12 extracts showed diuretic activities. The antiviral activity; against EMCV, was confirmed in one alga. The active principles and results of these studies are reported.