[Isolation and structural study of polysaccharides from campion Silene vulgaris]

Silenan SV, a pectic polysaccharide, was isolated from the aerial part of Silene vulgaris (Moench) Garke (Oberna behen (L.) Ikonn.), widespread through the European North of Russia. The polysaccharide was found to contain residues of galacturonic acid (63%), arabinose, galactose, and rhamnose as the main constituents. The results of a partial acidic hydrolysis, pectinase digestion, and NMR studies of silenan SV indicated that its molecule contains a linear alpha-1,4-D-galacturonan backbone and ramified regions. The core of the ramified regions is composed of residues of alpha-1,4-D-galacturonic acid along with 2-substituted alpha-rhamnopyranose residues. The NMR data showed that the silenan SV side chains are composed of the blocks built from the terminal alpha-1,5-linked arabinofuranose and beta-1,4-linked galactopyranose residues; these most likely are the side chains of rhamnogalacturonan, characteristic of other pectic polysaccharides. The nonreducing ends of these side chains contain alpha-arabinofuranose residues.