Fungal/Glucans Analysis

Fungal Cell Wall Polymers, Glycolipids and Exopolysaccharides

Fungi synthesize an array of various polysaccharides and glycolipids different from prokaryotes: cell wall polymeric glucans (e.g., β-(1→3)-glucan, β-(1→6)-glucan, a-(1→3)-glucan, a-(1→4)-glucan),  mannans and chitin. In addition, fungi are known to produce extracellular polymers (e.g galactoxylomannan or glucuronoxylomannan) and intracellular glycogen.  Fungal glycolipids are mostly represented by glycosphingolipids that consist of one or more monosaccharide residues linked to ceramides (glycosylceramides).  Depending on a subject of a study we offer help with:

• Extraction and purification of crude fungal glycolipids and polysaccharides from cell walls or media via mechanical, chemical or enzymatic cell disruption or liquid-liquid extraction and purification and enzymatic release of specific glycans by nucleases, protease, exo- and endo-glucosidases) and by various chromatography techniques (SEC, HPLC, HPAEC and TLC).
• Characterization of fungal  polysaccharides and glycolipids by GC-MS analysis of glycosyl or fatty acid derivatives, and with high resolution mass spectrometry including MALDI-TOF, electrospray ionization (ESI-MS) and structural characterization by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1D and 2D NMR).