Galactan
Chemical compound / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Galactan (galactosan) is a polysaccharide consisting of polymerized galactose.[1] In general, galactans in natural sources contain a core of galactose units connected by α(1→3) or α(1→6), with structures containing other monosaccharides as side-chains.[2]
Names | |
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Other names
D-Galactan; Galactosan | |
Identifiers | |
ChEBI | |
KEGG | |
Properties | |
(C6H10O5)n | |
Molar mass | Variable |
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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Galactan derived from Anogeissus latifolia is primarily α(1→6), but galactan from acacia trees is primarily α(1→3).[3]
Halymenia durvillei is a red seaweed (algae) that produces a sulfated galactan.[4] Several other algae species also contain galactans.[5] Including Carpopeltis F.Schmitz, 1895.[6]
Galactan is found in the side chains of rhamnogalacturonan I (RG-I) and is needed for gel formation in the cell walls of organisms.[7] It was observed there was less of the gelling characteristic (as well as the polymeric chains being more likely to degrade) when fewer galactans were present in the polymeric side chains. [7][8]