Mannuronihappo

Mannuronihappo, also known as D-mannuronic acid, is a monosaccharide and a uronic acid. It is a component of alginate, a polysaccharide found in brown algae. Alginate is composed of repeating units of two different uronic acids: mannuronic acid and its epimer, guluronic acid. The ratio and arrangement of these units vary depending on the algal species and environmental conditions, influencing the properties of the alginate.

Mannuronihappo plays a crucial role in the structure and function of alginate. The negatively charged carboxyl groups on the mannuronic acid units are responsible for the gelling properties of alginate when in the presence of divalent cations like calcium. This ability to form gels has led to various applications for alginate, and consequently for mannuronic acid, in fields such as food science, biotechnology, and medicine. For example, alginate is used as a food additive (E401) for thickening and stabilizing, in wound dressings due to its ability to absorb exudate, and in drug delivery systems.

In its free form, mannuronic acid is a chiral molecule with specific stereochemistry. It is a derivative of mannose, an epimer of glucose. While its primary significance lies as a building block of alginate, research continues to explore other potential biological roles and applications of mannuronic acid itself.