Some Non-Cellulosic S-D-Glycans From Plant Sources

Abstract

The structures of some non-cellulosic S-Q-Glycans from three

plant sources have been investigated and each was found

to be characterised by

linked D-pyranosyl

a main chain consisting of S-(1-44)-

sugars. The polysaccharides were,

however, different in structural features in a manner

apparently related to their respective locations within the

organs of the plants concerned.

The polysaccharides were isolated and purified using

standard fractionation methods including chromatographic

techniques and selective precipitation methods. Structural

information was obtained by employing techniques such

as methylation analysis (involving use of gas liquid

chromatography mass spectrometry), optical rotation

measurements, mass spectrometry and n.m.r. spectroscopy on

the original polysaccharides and on degraded products

obtained by methods such as acid- or enzyme-catalysed

hydrolysis and Smith degradation.

The polysaccharide from a gum exudate found in Strelitzia

reginae flowers has been shown to be a highly substituted

S-(1~4)-Q-xylan, having . side-chains containing predominantly

terminal arabinofuranosyl, galactopyranosyl and

glucopyranuronosyl groups; in addition there are small