A Crystalline Galactobiose from Acid Hydrolysis of Okra Mucilage1

Nature-Derived Okra Gel as Strong Hemostatic Bioadhesive in Human Blood, Liver, and Heart Trauma of Rabbits and Dogs

Bioadhesive performance can be compromised due to bleeding. Bleeding increases mortality. Adhesives with hemostatic function are of great significance. A sustainable and robust hemostatic bioadhesive from okra is reported. The adhesive strength reaches around three and six-fold higher than commercial fibrin on pigskin and glass, respectively. The okra gel presents high-pressure resistance and great underwater adhesive strength. In human blood experiments, the okra gel can activate platelets, enhance the adhesion of activated platelets, and release coagulation factors XI and XII. By forming a fast gel layer and closely adhering to the wound, it can quickly stop bleeding in the liver and heart of rabbits and dogs. Meanwhile, okra gel can cause platelet activation at the wound site and further strengthen its hemostatic performance. It is biocompatible, biodegradable, and can promote wound healing and shows potential as a sustainable bioadhesive, especially in the scenario of significant hemorrhage.

Structural characterization and anti-inflammatory activity of a pectin polysaccharide AP2-c from the lignified okra

In this paper, a pectin polysaccharide AP2-c with molecular weight 6.69 × 10⁵  Da was obtained from the lignified okra. The monosaccharide composition analysis indicated that AP2-c consisted of galactose, rhamnose and galacturonic acid in a molar ratio of 2.3: 1.5: 1.5. The structural characterization indicated that the main chain of AP2-c was composed of →2)-α-L-Rhap-(1→ and →4)-α-D-GalAp-(1→. →2)-α-L-Rhap-(1→ was branched at position O-4 and the branched chain consisted of →3,6)-β-D-Galp-(1→, →6)-β-D-Galp-(1→, α-L-Rhap-(1→ and β-D-Galp-(1→. AP2-c could inhibit the mRNA expression levels of TNF-α, IL-1β and iNOS in LPS-induced macrophages with a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, AP2-c inhibited the phosphorylation of IκB and p65 via NF-κB pathway. The results indicated that AP2-c had obvious anti-inflammatory activity. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: When okra seeds were harvested, lignified okra was always abandoned as waste and had not been fully used for exploitation. Nevertheless, it accounted for more than half of the total plant's weight and was abundant in cell wall polysaccharides, which were the main components of okra to perform a variety of biological functions. In the research, the purified pectin polysaccharide AP2-c was obtained from lignified okra and its physicochemical properties, structural features and anti-inflammatory activity were systematically researched. It was detected that AP2-c exhibited anti-inflammatory activity by blocking NF-κB pathway and thus lowering the expression of related inflammatory factors. The results have significant implications for the value-added application of okra and its processing side products can obviously help to promote the anti-inflammatory application of AP2-c and avoid wasting resources.

Structural characterization and anti-inflammatory activity of a polysaccharide from the lignified okra

The polysaccharide (AP1-b) of molecular weight 6.59 × 10⁵ Da was isolated from lignified okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench) by hot-water extraction, 40 % ethanol precipitation and purified by DEAE Cellulose chromatography, respectively. The structure and anti-inflammatory activity of AP1-b were investigated. AP1-b was composed of galactose, rhamnose, gluctose, arabinose and galacturonic acid in a molar ratio of 1.98:1.00:0.15:0.32:0.29. The structural features showed that the AP1-b consisted of →2)-α-d-Rhap-(1→, →4)-β-d-Galp-(1→, →4)-α-d-GalpA-(1→, →6)-β-d-Galp-(1→, β-d-Glcp-(1→ and α-l-Araf-(1→. AP1-b could observably improve the inflammatory injury of LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells by inhibiting the secretion of NO and decreasing the levels of pro-inflammatory factors (IL-1β, iNOS and TNF-α). AP1-b also inhibited the phosphorylation levels of IκB and p65 proteins, manifesting the anti-inflammatory activity of AP1-b may associated with inhibition of NF-κB signaling pathway. Therefore, AP1-b had potential value in treating inflammatory injury.

Structural Properties, Bioactivities, and Applications of Polysaccharides from Okra [Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench]: A Review

Okra [Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench], as a kind of nutritive vegetable, is rich in flavonoids, polyphenols, polysaccharides, amino acids, and other bioactive substances and has various biological activities. As one of main bioactive components, okra polysaccharides (OPs), mainly comprising pectic polysaccharides, have various biological activities. OPs have been extensively investigated in recent years. Many studies characterized structures of OPs obtained by different extraction methods, which were confirmed to be rhamnogalacturonan-I-type polysaccharides in most cases. OPs have a thick and slimy texture, suggesting that they can be a promising source of texture modifiers for complex food matrices. They have various biological activities, such as antioxidant activity, immunomodulatory activity, hypoglycaemic activity, and improving intestinal function. Therefore, OPs may potentially serve as novel immunomodulators or an adjuvant for diabetic nephropathy. Up to now, there is no specific summary on the research progress of OPs. In this paper, the latest research progress on the extraction, purification, characterization, rheological properties, biological activities, and applications of OPs is reviewed, to provide the reference for the processing and comprehensive utilization of OPs in the future.

Thiolated okra chitosan nanoparticles: preparation and optimisation as intranasal drug delivery agents

AIM

The preparation of thiolated okra gum by use of full factorial design to optimise the reaction conditions.

METHODS

Thiolated gum was obtained by esterification optimised by full factorial design. The effect of varying the thiolated Okra concentration, chitosan concentration, pH, and stirring speed on particle size, entrapment efficiency and zeta potential was observed using Box-Behnken design.

RESULTS

Maximum yield and degree of substitution were obtained at reaction time of 152 min, 6.73 ml of thioglycolic acid and 70 °C of temperature. The optimised calculated parameters were thiolated okra concentrations of (0.07% w/v), chitosan concentration (0.05% w/v), pH (3), stirring speed (4430 rpm), which yielded nanoparticles of size 294.3 ± 0.3 nm, 43.57 ± 1.21% entrapment and 23.29 ± 2.3 mV of Zeta potential.

CONCLUSION

NPs were observed to be promising for brain targeting.

Preparation and Characterization of Polyelectrolyte Complexes of Hibiscus esculentus (Okra) Gum and Chitosan

Polyelectrolyte complexes (PECs) of Okra gum (OKG) extracted from fruits of Hibiscus esculentus (Malvaceae) and chitosan (CH) were prepared using ionic gelation technique. The PECs were insoluble and maximum yield was obtained at weight ratio of 7 : 3. The supernatant obtained after extracting PECs was clearly representing complete conversion of polysaccharides into PECs. Complexation was also evaluated by measuring the viscosity of supernatant after precipitation of PECs. The dried PECs were characterized using FTIR, DSC, zeta potential, water uptake, and SEM studies. Thermal analysis of PECs prepared at all ratios (10 : 90, 20 : 80, 30 : 70, 40 : 60, 50 : 50, 60 : 40, 70 : 30, 80 : 20, and 90 : 10; OKG : CH) depicted an endothermic peak at approximately 240°C representing cleavage of electrostatic bond between OKG and CH. The optimized ratio (7 : 3) exhibited a zeta potential of -0.434 mV and displayed a porous structure in SEM analysis. These OKG-CH PECs can be further employed as promising carrier for drug delivery.

Thermodynamics of a food macromolecular assembly: the case of okra mucilage

Isolation steps of okra hydrocolloid and its thermodynamic parameters.

Pectin from Abelmoschus esculentus: optimization of extraction and rheological properties

Response surface methodology (RSM) was applied to optimize the parameters of pectin extraction from okra pods. The extracted okra pectin was then investigated by steady-shear and oscillatory rheological measurements. Statistical analysis showed that the linear term of the liquid-solid ratio, the quadratic term of the pH, and the linear term of the extraction time showed highly significant effects on pectin yield. The optimal extraction conditions that maximized the pectin yield within the experimental range of the variables researched were a pH of 3.9, an extraction time of 64 min, an extraction temperature of 60°C, and a liquid-solid ratio of 42:1. Under these conditions, the pectin yield was predicted to be 2.71%. At a liquid-solid ratio less than 2.5% w/w in aqueous solution, the pectin extracted from okra presented non-Newtonian shear-thinning behavior and could be well described by the Cross model. The okra pectin showed predominantly viscous responses (G'<G″) over a wide range of frequencies (10(-1)-10 Hz) at 20% strain.

Okra pectin contains an unusual substitution of its rhamnosyl residues with acetyl and alpha-linked galactosyl groups

The okra plant, Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench, a native plant from Africa, is now cultivated in many other areas such as Asia, Africa, Middle East, and the southern states of the USA. Okra pods are used as vegetables and as traditional medicines. Sequential extraction showed that the Hot Buffer Soluble Solids (HBSS) extract of okra consists of highly branched rhamnogalacturonan (RG) I containing high levels of acetyl groups and short galactose side chains. In contrast, the CHelating agent Soluble Solids (CHSS) extract contained pectin with less RG I regions and slightly longer galactose side chains. Both pectic populations were incubated with homogeneous and well characterized rhamnogalacturonan hydrolase (RGH), endo-polygalacturonase (PG), and endo-galactanase (endo-Gal), monitoring both high and low molecular weight fragments. RGH is able to degrade saponified HBSS and, to some extent, also non-saponified HBSS, while PG and endo-Gal are hardly able to degrade either HBSS or saponified HBSS. In contrast, PG is successful in degrading CHSS, while RGH and endo-Gal are hardly able to degrade the CHSS structure. These results point to a much higher homogalacturonan (HG) ratio for CHSS when compared to HBSS. In addition, the CHSS contained slightly longer galactan side chains within its RG I region than HBSS. Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry indicated the presence of acetylated RG oligomers in the HBSS and CHSS enzyme digests and electron spray ionization-ion trap-mass spectrum showed that not only galacturonosyl residues but also rhamnosyl residues in RG I oligomers were O-acetylated. NMR spectroscopy showed that all rhamnose residues in a 20kDa HBSS population were O-acetylated at position O-3. Surprisingly, the NMR data also showed that terminal alpha-linked galactosyl groups were present as neutral side chain substituents. Taken together, these results demonstrate that okra contained RG I structures which have not been reported before for pectic RG I.

Characterisation of cell wall polysaccharides from okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench)

Okra pods are commonly used in Asia as a vegetable, food ingredient, as well as a traditional medicine for many different purposes; for example, as diuretic agent, for treatment of dental diseases and to reduce/prevent gastric irritations. The healthy properties are suggested to originate from the high polysaccharide content of okra pods, resulting in a highly viscous solution with a slimy appearance when okra is extracted with water. In this study, we present a structural characterisation of all major cell wall polysaccharides originating from okra pods. The sequential extraction of okra cell wall material yielded fractions of soluble solids extractable using hot buffer (HBSS), chelating agent (CHSS), dilute alkaline (DASS) and concentrated alkaline (CASS). The HBSS fraction was shown to be rich in galactose, rhamnose and galacturonic acid in the ratio 1.3:1:1.3. The degree of acetylation is relatively high (DA=58) while the degree of methyl esterification is relatively low (DM=24). The CHSS fraction contained much higher levels of methyl esterified galacturonic acid residues (63% galacturonic acid; DM=48) in addition to minor amounts of rhamnose and galactose. The ratio of galactose to rhamnose to galacturonic acid was 1.3:1.0:1.3 and 4.5:1.0:1.2 for HBSS and CHSS, respectively. These results indicated that the HBSS and CHSS fractions contain rhamnogalacturonan type I next to homogalacturonan, while the latter is more prevailing in CHSS. Also the DASS fraction is characterised by high amounts of rhamnose, galactose, galacturonic acid and some arabinose, indicating that rhamnogalacturonan I elements with longer arabinose- and galactose-rich side chains were part of this fraction. Partial digestion of HBSS and CHSS by pectin methyl esterase and polygalacturonase resulted in a fraction with a lower Mw and lower viscosity in solution. These samples were subjected to NMR analysis, which indicated that, in contrast to known RG I structure, the acetyl groups in HBSS are not located on the galacturonic acid residues, while for CHSS only part of the acetyl groups are located on the RG I galacturonic acid residues. The CASS fraction consisted of XXXG-type xyloglucan and 4-methylglucuronoxylan as shown by their sugar (linkage) composition and enzymatic digestion.

Immunochemistry of pneumococcal types II, V, and VI. II. Inhibition tests in the type VI precipitating system

Rebers, Paul A. (Rutgers University, New Brunswick, N. J.), Esther Hurwitz, and Michael Heidelberger. Immunochemistry of pneumococcal types II, V, and VI. II. Inhibition tests in the type VI precipitating system. J. Bacteriol. 82:920-926. 1961.-As in other immune systems involving polysaccharides, rabbit antibodies but not those engendered in the horse were found sensitive to degradation of type VI pneumococcal (Pn) polysaccharide (SVI), and were readily inhibited by fragments of SVI. Large amounts, 30 to 111 mumoles, of most sugars gave up to 15% inhibition, while sugar and polyol phosphates inhibited as much as 25%, with little relation to their presence or absence in SVI. The phosphate-free repeating unit of SVI was a good inhibitor, its phosphate monoester was better, and the "trimer" still better. The "trimer" precipitated most of the antibodies from horse anti-Pn VI.Although inhibition of precipitation of SVI anti-Pn horse sera could not be demonstrated with fragments of SVI, cross-reactions of antibodies in the horse sera could be inhibited. Precipitation of SII was inhibited by low concentrations of l-rhamnose, while even high concentrations of the other sugar components of SII and SVI were ineffective. Precipitation by guar gum was inhibited by galactose and alpha- and beta-methyl-galactopyranosides, also by rhamnose, although guar gum does not contain this sugar, while SVI, the antigenic determinant, does.

Characterization of the okra mucilage by interaction with Gal, GalNAc and GlcNAc specific lectins

A bio-active polysaccharide, which was the major component of the extract of the common okra, Hibiscus esculentus, was isolated from the extract by precipitation with ethanol between 28.5 to 45%. According to a previous report (Whistler, R.L. and Conrad, H.E. (1954) J. Am. Chem. Soc. 76, 1673-1674), this polysaccharide contains the Gal alpha 1-->4Gal sequence, which is the ligand for the uropathogenic Escherichia coli and toxic lectins. Analysis of the binding property of the okra polysaccharide by precipitin assay with Gal, GalNAc and GlcNAc specific lectins showed that this okra mucilage reacted best with Mistletoe toxic lectin-I (ML-I) and precipitated over 80% of the ML-I nitrogen (5.1 micrograms N) added. It also precipitated well with Abrus precatorius (APA), Momordica charantia (MCA) and Ricinus communis (RCA1) agglutinins, but poorly with other lectins. The results obtained suggest that this polysaccharide is a valuable reagent to differentiate Gal specific lectins from the GalNAc and/or GlcNAc specific series.

Enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of glycoconjugates. A UDP-2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-glucose: beta-D-galactopyranosyl-(1 leads to 4)-saccharide (1 leads to 3)-2-acetamido-2-deoxy-beta-D- glucopyranosyltransferase in human serum

A 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-beta-D-glucopyranosyltransferase (N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase) that catalyses the transfer of 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-glucose from UDP-2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-glucose to terminal nonreducing beta-D-galactosyl residues in disaccharides, oligosaccharides, glycoproteins, and glycolipids has been detected in human serum. The preferred acceptors are those with beta-D-galactosyl residues linked (1 leads to 4) to the subterminal sugar residue. Activity is greatest when the second sugar residue is 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-glucose but beta-D-Galp-(1 leads to 4)-D-Glc and beta-D-Galp-(1 leads to 4)-D-Man are also good acceptors. Compounds with beta-D-galactosyl groups linked (1 leads to 3) to 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-glucose are relatively poor acceptors and beta-D-Galp-(1 leads to 6)-D-GlcNAc is inactive. Oligosaccharides substituted with an L-fucose unit on the beta-D-galactosyl unit or on the adjacent sugar residue failed to accept 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-glucose. Similarly, glycoproteins with L-fucose or sialic acid substituents are less effective acceptors before removal of these sugars to expose more beta-D-galactosyl end-groups. The transferred 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-beta-D-glucopyranosyl residue is cleaved from the enzymic reaction products by the N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase from Jack beans. Methylation analysis of the products of 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-glucosyl transfer to N-acetyllactosamine [beta-D-Galp-(1 leads to 4)-D-GlcNAc] and lactose [beta-D-Galp-(1 leads to 4)-D-Glc] revealed that the terminal, nonreducing D-galactosyl group in both these acceptors had been 3-O-substituted with 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-glucose. Hence, the enzyme in human serum catalyses, in the presence of Mn2+, the reaction UDP-GlcNAc + beta-D-Galp-(1 leads to 4)-R leads to beta-D-GlcpNAc(1 leads to 3)-beta-D-Galp-(1 leads to 4)-R + UDP and is a UDP-2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-glucose: beta-D-galactopyranosyl-(1 leads to to 3)-2-acetamido-2-deoxy-beta-D-glucopyranosyltransferase.

Two alpha-3-D-galactosyltransferases in rabbit stomach mucosa with different acceptor substrate specificities

Homogenates of rabbit stomach mucosa were examined for enzymes catalysing the transfer of D-galactose from UDP-D-galactose to various low-molecular-weight acceptors of known structure. Treatment of the products with alpha and beta-D-galactosidases revealed that D-galactose was transferred in both alpha and beta-anomeric linkages. The beta-D-galactosyltransferase used N-acetylglucosamine and compounds containing terminal nonreducing beta-N-acetylglucosaminyl residues as acceptor substrates. The compounds accepting D-galactose in alpha-anomeric linkage had unsubstituted terminal non-reducing beta-D-galactosyl units or a fucose substituent on the carbon-2 position of a subterminal beta-D-galactosyl unit. Methylation analysis of the products formed with N-acetyllactosamine [beta-D-Galp(1 leads to 4)D-GlcNAcp] and 2'fucosyllactose [alpha-L-Fucp(1 leads to 2)-beta-D-Galp(1 leads to 4)D-Glcp] revealed that D-galactose was transferred to the carbon-3 position of the beta-D-galactosyl residue in both of these acceptor substrates. Competition experiments with the two substrates indicated that the transfer of D-galactose was catalysed in each case by a different alpha-3-D-galactosyltransferase. Differences were also observed in the solubility properties of the enzymes: the alpha-3-D-galactosyltransferase using acceptor substrates with unsubstituted beta-D-galactosyl residues was more readily soluble both in the presence and absence of detergents than the transferase using beta-D-galactosyl residues substituted at carbon-2 with L-fucose. These findings demonstrate that rabbit stomach mucosa has two distinct alpha-3-D-galactosyltransferases: one, which is more tightly membrane-bound, resembles the human B-gene-specified transferase in its acceptor specificity, and the second, which is a more soluble enzyme, transfers D-galactose to the same positional linkage in unsubstituted beta-D-galactosyl residues.

Immunochemical observations on the human blood group P system

Haemagglutination inhibition experiments were carried out with anti-P1, anti-Pk and anti-P sera in an attempt to increase understanding of the chemical, genetical and serological relationships within the P system. The test-substances comprised a glycoprotein with human blood group P1 and Pk activity isolated from sheep hydatid cyst fluid, fragments isolated from the partial acid hydrolysis products of the P1Pk active glycoprotein, glycolipids, monosaccharides and di- and oligo-saccharides of known structure. The trisaccharide alphaGal(1 leads to 4)betaGal(1 leads to 4)GlcNAc isolated from the glycoprotein hydrolysis products, and earlier established as the P1 determinant (Cory et al., 1974), was the only low molecular weight compound that gave strong inhibition with human, rabbit and goat anti-P1 sera. A disaccharide alphaGal(1 leads to 4)Gal, also isolated from the glycoprotein hydrolysis products, failed to react with anti-P1 reagents but inhibited human anti-Pk sera as strongly as the trisaccharide. The glycolipid alphaGal(1 leads to 4)betaGal(1 leads to 4)Glc-Cer (Ceramide trihexoside) and other oligosaccharides containing alphaGal(1 leads to 4)Gal at the non-reducing terminal were also strong inhibitors of anti-Pk sera. Oligosaccharides with terminal alpha-galactosyl residues joined in other positional linkages gave definite, although less strong, inhibition. The inhibition results suggest a close structural relationship between the P1 and Pk determinants and indicate that the specificity of anti-Pk sera is less closely delineated than that of anti-P1. Human anti-P sera differed markedly from anti-P1 and anti-Pk and were not inhibited by any of the compounds containing alpha-galactosyl residues. The glycolipid betaGalNAc(1 leads to 3)alphaGal(1 leads to 4)betaGal(1 leads to 4)Glc-Cer (globoside) strongly inhibited the anti-P sera. The inhibition of anti-Pk and anti-P sera by ceramide trihexoside and globoside, respectively, confirms the observations of Naiki & Marcus (1974) and supports their conclusions that Pk is the precursor of P. The genetic relationship of the P1 antigen to P and Pk is not clear but biosynthetic pathways are discussed that might explain the absence of P1, Pk and P antigens in individuals of the p phenotype.

A STUDY OF THE PECTIN PRESENT IN THE BARK OF AMABILIS FIR (ABIES AMABILIS)

A pectic material has been isolated from the bark of Abies amabilis (Dougl.) Forbes in a yield of 2%. On hydrolysis it yielded D-galacturonic acid, D-galactose, and L-arabinose in a ratio of 85:4:11, and also traces of rhamnose. The product, when submitted to several conventional fractionation methods, appeared homogeneous. Further resolution could be effected by acidification of an aqueous solution of the pectin, followed by ultracentrifugation. The insoluble portion (50%) was an electrophoretically homogeneous galacturonan with [α]D + 246°. The material remaining in solution (30%), here referred to as a pectic acid, had [α]D + 225° and on hydrolysis gave D-galacturonic acid, D-galactose, and L-arbabinose in a ratio of 74:7:19, as well as traces of rhamnose.The structure of the galacturonan was established by partial hydrolysis and methylation. It consisted of α-D-galacturonic acid residues linked together by (1 → 4)-glycosidic bonds to a linear macromolecule. The same techniques were applied to the pectic acid. While a unique structural formula could not be assigned in this case, one probable alternative involved a framework of (1 → 4)-linked α-D-galacturonic acid residues together with a few residues of 1,2,4-linked L-rhamnose. Some of the galacturonic acid units carried at C-2 and C-3 side chains which were terminated by D-galactopyranose and L-arabinofuranose residues. A few of the latter also occurred as inner units, probably in the side chains. This appears to be the first time a pectic material has been resolved into a galacturonan and a pectic acid containing the four sugar residues usually found in pectins. It is probable that the pectin occurring to a limited extent in wood has a similar composition.

THE STRUCTURE OF LINSEED MUCILAGE: PART II

Linseed mucilage has been separated into an acidic and a neutral fraction. The acidic fraction was further separated, by the use of cupric acetate solution, into two fractions, CuI and CuII. Fraction CuI contained L-rhamnose, L-galactose, and D-galacturonic acid. The methylated reduced polysaccharide gave on hydrolysis 2,3,4-tri-O-methyl-L-rhamnose, 3,4-di-O-methyl-L-rhamnose, 4-O-methyl-L-rhamnose, 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-methyl-D-galactose, 2,3,6-tri-O-methyl-D-galactose, and 2,3-di-O-methyl-D-galactose (?); L-galactose was lost during the methylation process. Periodate oxidation studies on the material indicated that the polymer was composed of a main chain of L-rhamnose units with most of the L-galactose units attached as non-reducing end groups. Fraction CuII contained L-rhamnose, L-fucose, L-galactose, and D-galacturonic acid. The methylated reduced polysaccharide gave on hydrolysis 2,3,4-tri-O-methyl-L-fucose, 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-methyl-L-galactose, 2,3,6-tri-O-methyl-D-galactose, 4-O-methyl-L-rhamnose, L-rhamnose, and possibly 2,3-di-O-methyl-D-galactose and 3-O-methyl-D-galactose. Periodate oxidation studies and a degradation by the Smith procedure indicated the presence of a L-rhamnose backbone with L-fucose and L-galactose units attached as non-reducing end groups.The neutral fraction yielded a periodate-oxidizable material after one Smith-type degradation. Periodate oxidation studies indicated that the degraded material was branched. Methylation of the degraded polysaccharide followed by hydrolysis yielded 2,3,4-tri-O-methyl-D-xylose, 2,3-di-O-methyl-D-xylose, 2,4-di-O-methyl-D-xylose, 4-O-methyl-D-xylose, D-xylose, and traces of 2,3,4-trt-O-methyl- or 2,5-di-O-methyl-L-arabinose, 2,4-di-O-methyl-D-xylose, and 3-O-methyl-D-xylose. The main backbone of the degraded polysaccharide appeared to consist of (1 → 4)-linked D-xylose units. Linkages of the (1 → 3) type were also present. The smaller fragments from the Smith-type degradation, L-arabinose, 2-O-α-L-arabinosyl glycerol, and glycerol were characterized. A partial acid hydrolysis of the neutral fraction yielded a number of oligosaccharides.