Amounts and compositional analysis of glycosaminoglycans in the tissue of fish

Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) such as chondroitin sulfate (CS), dermatan sulfate (DS), and hyaluronic acid were isolated from unused fishes and inedible parts of fish. The amounts of GAGs contained in the tissues and ratios of CS/DS differed remarkably among fish. The dorsal fin of the yellowfin sole contained more than 1300mg of CS–DS per 100g of defatted-dry tissue. [Display omitted] ► The amounts of GAG in the tissues differed remarkably among fish. ► The CS/DS ratios differed remarkably among the tissues of fish. ► A- and C-types of CD-DS differed remarkably among fish. ► The dorsal fin of the yellowfin sole contained >1300mg of CS–DS/100g of defatted tissue. We isolated GAGs from the inedible parts; head, skin, internal organs, fins, scales and spine, of atlantic mackerel (Scomber scombrus), japanese jack mackerel (Trachurus japonicus), pacific bluefin tuna (Thunnus orientalis), yellowfin sole (Limanda aspera), broadbanded thornyhead (Sebastolobus macrochir), golden threadfin bream (Nemipterus virgatus), and nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). We also investigated deep-sea fish, eelpouts (Bothrocara hollandi, Lycodes toyamensis, and Lycodes nakamurae), rough snailfish (Careproctus trachysoma), and squids (Watasenia scintillans, Enoploteuthis chunii, and Berryteuthis magister). Enzymatic digestion of the GAGs enabled a compositional analysis of CS, DS, and HA including the sulfation patterns of CS and DS, as well as the amount of each GAG. The molecular weights and distributions of these GAGs were also examined. The amounts of GAGs contained in the tissues and CS/DS ratios differed remarkably among the fish. The dorsal fin of the yellowfin sole contained more than 1300mg of CS–DS per 100g of defatted-dry tissue. Although the fish generally contained A-type rich CS–DS, bottom fish and deep-sea fish often possessed C-type CS–DS in larger ratios. Squid characteristically had E-type CS–DS which was normally less common in fish except in cartilaginous fish. These analytical results had no relation to the biological classification.