GLYCOSAMINOGLYCANS FROM MARINE CLAM Meretrix meretrix (LINNE.) ARE AN ANTICOAGULANT.

The extracted unfractionated glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) obtained from the marine clam Meretrix meretrix were fractionated by ion-exchange (Amberlite IRA-900 and 120) chromatography. The fractionated sample activity was determined through azure-A by metachromatic activity and agarose gel electrophoresis. The active fractionated sample molecular mass was determined through gradient polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE). The structural characterization of low-molecular-weight GAGs was analyzed by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and 1H-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The Activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) of fractionated heparin-like glycosminoglycan is 72 IU/mg and it has a molecular mass of 15,000 Da. The disaccharide profiles, such as uronic acid 15.31%, hexosamine 24.61%, and sulfate content 11.7%, were also determined. The results of this study suggest that the GAGs from M. meretrix could be an alternative source of heparin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]