Purification and Partial Characterization of Polysaccharides From Coconut Milk

Ethanol-precipitated polysaccharides of the liquid endosperm of coconut, Cocos nucifera L., were composed predominantly of galactose and arabinose with minor amounts of mannose and glucose. Gel filtration chromatography on Bio-Gel A-0.5 m revealed a single major peak (Peak A) at the void volume and a minor peak (Peak B) partially included in the column volume. Peak A contained some uronosyl residues, but was not susceptible to cleavage by endopolygalacturonase, indicating that it does not contain significant amounts of polygalacturonic acid. Neutral glycosyl residue composition analysis of Peak A showed that it consisted of 72% galactose and 24% arabinose with minor amounts of glucose and rhamnose.