Determination of molecular weights and monosaccharide compositions in Abelmoschus manihot polysaccharides

Abelmoschus manihot polysaccharide, AMP-1, AMP-2, AMP-3, and AMP-4, were purified from four kinds of Abelmoschus manihot gum (AMG). The molecular weights and monosaccharide compositions of AMP-1, AMP-2, AMP-3 and AMP-4 were characterized by gel permeation chromatography, Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy and high performance anion-exchange chromatography with pulsed amperometric detection. Results indicated that the molecular weights of AMP-1, AMP-2, AMP-3, and AMP-4 were approximately 3.91 × 10³, 5.36 × 10⁵, 3.87 × 10³, and 5.12 × 10⁵ Da, respectively. The Abelmoschus manihot polysaccharide was mainly composed of galactose, glucose and mannose with the molar ratios at 0.29: 1.00: 0.41 (AMP-1), 0.56: 0.13: 1.00 (AMP-2), 0.10: 1.00: 0.11 (AMP-3) and 0.55: 0.17: 1.00 (AMP-4), respectively.