Chemical characterisation of the oligosaccharides in a sample of milk of a white-nosed coati, Nasua narica (Procyonidae: Carnivora)

Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol. 1999 Jun;123(2):187-93. doi: 10.1016/s1095-6433(99)00049-5.

Abstract

Carbohydrates were extracted from a sample of coati milk and the component oligosaccharides were separated and partially purified by gel filtration and preparative thin layer chromatography. Their structures were determined by 1H-NMR. Fuc alpha 1-->2Gal beta 1-->4Glc Gal alpha 1-->3Gal beta 1-->4Glc Gal beta 1-->4GlcNAc beta 1-->3Gal beta 1-->4Glc Fuc alpha 1-->2Gal beta 1-->4GlcNAc beta 1-->3Gal beta 1-->4Glc Gal alpha 1-->3Gal beta 1-->4GlcNAc beta 1-->3Gal beta 1-->4Glc The two pentasaccharides are novel sugars. In addition, higher oligosaccharides, whose core units were lacto-N-neohexaose, were found in coati milk. Free lactose constituted only about one-third of the total free milk saccharides. The results are discussed in terms of comparisons with the milk sugars of bears and other species.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Carnivora / metabolism*
  • Chromatography, Gel
  • Chromatography, Thin Layer
  • Female
  • Lactose / analysis
  • Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
  • Milk / chemistry*
  • Oligosaccharides / chemistry*

Substances

  • Oligosaccharides
  • Lactose