mannans
Sign in to savethumb|500px|Subunit of a typical mannan showing four 1,4-linked beta-D-mannose units, one with a galactose side chain. Mannans are polymers containing the sugar mannose as a principal component. They are a type of polysaccharide found in hemicellulose, a major source of biomass found in higher plants such as softwoods. These polymers also typically contain two other sugars, galactose and glucose. They are often branched (unlike cellulose).
Article
7 sectionsContents
- Structural diversity
- Synthesis and degradation
- Biosynthesis
- Etymology
- See also
- References
- Further reading
thumb|500px|Subunit of a typical mannan showing four 1,4-linked beta-D-mannose units, one with a galactose side chain. Mannans are polymers containing the sugar mannose as a principal component. They are a type of polysaccharide found in hemicellulose, a major source of biomass found in higher plants such as softwoods. These polymers also typically contain two other sugars, galactose and glucose. They are often branched (unlike cellulose).
== Structural diversity == Plant mannans have β(1-4) linkages, occasionally with α(1-6) galactose branches, forming galactomannans. They are insoluble and a form of storage polysaccharide. Ivory nut is a source of mannans. An additional type is galactoglucomannan found in soft wood with a mixed mannose/glucose β(1-4) backbone. Conjac and salep have glucomannans with β(1-4) linkages. Many mannans are acetylated and some from marine sources, have sulfate esters side chains.