CARBOHYDRATES OF CENTROSEMA SEED. THE CONSTITUTION OF AN ARABINO GALACTAN. I

Abstract

Treatment of the water-soluble polysaccharides of Centrosemaplumari seed with Fehling's solution resulted in the formation of a precipitate in major proportions. The polysaccharide forming a copper complex was composed of D-galactose (92.5%) and L-arabinose (7%). No change was observed in this ratio upon further treatment of the polysaccharide with Fehling's solution. Partial hydrolysis of the arabinogalactan liberated about 80% of the arabinose. Controlled periodate degradation (Smith degradation) indicated a complex branched structure with a preponderance of 1,4-glycosidic linkages. Methylation experiments also indicated a branched structure.