CHARACTERIZATION OF AMINO ACID AND CARBOHYDRATE COMPONENTS IN FULVIC ACID

Abstract

The distribution of individual amino acids and monosaccharides in fulvic acid and its fractions separated by polyamide chromatography was investigated in five different Italian soils. Although little differences were generally found in the two polyamide fractions (FI and FII), the highest percentage content of acidic amino acids and the lowest percentage content of neutral amino acids have been found in the second one (FII); monosaccharides composition was more irregular, but generally FII contained more pentoses. Both chromatographic fractions (FI and FII) have been chromatographed on Sephadex G-25. The composition in carbohydrate and amino acid components of the further different fractions resolved by gel filtration showed great differences depending on the molecular weight distribution.