Polysaccharides from the roots ofAlthaea officinalis L.: Structural features of D-glucans

Abstract

From the roots of the medicinal plant Althaea officinalis L., three D-glucans were isolated by gel chromatography which differed in molecular weights. The results of methylation analyses and 13C NMR measurements indicated predominantly linear character of the polysaccharide chains composed of α-D-glucopyranose units linked by 1 → 6 glycosidic bonds almost exclusively. The polymers had essentially the same structural features as D-glucan isolated from the leaves of this plant.