Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 16, 2026

11:06
Structural Characterization of Mannan Cell Wall Polysaccharides in Plants Using PACE
Published on: October 16, 2017
Structural Features of Plantago lanceolata Mucilage
1Lehrstuhl für Pharmazeutische Biologie der Universität, D-8400 Regensburg.
Planta Medica
|August 1, 1985
Summary
Plantago lanceolata leaf polysaccharides were analyzed, revealing complex structures with significant amounts of arabinose, galactose, and galacturonic acid. Structural investigations elucidated repeating units for neutral and acidic fractions.
Area of Science:
- Plant Biochemistry
- Carbohydrate Chemistry
Background:
- Plantago lanceolata leaves contain water-soluble polysaccharides.
- Polysaccharides are complex carbohydrates with diverse biological roles.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the structural components of Plantago lanceolata leaf polysaccharides.
- To investigate the molecular weight and repeating units of isolated polysaccharide fractions.
Main Methods:
- DEAE-cellulose chromatography for fraction separation.
- Gel chromatography for molecular weight determination.
- Sugar analysis, methylation, (13)C-NMR spectroscopy, and partial acid degradation for structural elucidation.
Main Results:
- The crude polysaccharide fraction comprised L-arabinose, D-galactose, D-glucose, D-mannose, L-rhamnose, D-galacturonic acid, D-glucuronic acid, L-fucose, and D-xylose.
- Two main fractions, FI (neutral) and FII (acidic), were isolated and further analyzed.
- FI was separated into FIa (MW: 8000) and FIb (MW: 25000), while FII was homogeneous (MW: 70000).
- Structural repeating units for polysaccharides in FI and FII were proposed.
Conclusions:
- Plantago lanceolata leaves possess a complex polysaccharide composition.
- Detailed structural analysis provided insights into the repeating units of isolated neutral and acidic polysaccharide fractions.
Related Concept Videos
Cell Adhesion in Plants
Plants have rigid cell walls that are made up of cell wall polysaccharides that mediate cell-cell adhesion. The primary cell walls of plants consist of two independent and interacting polysaccharide networks: a pectin matrix that embeds the second network comprising cellulose and hemicelluloses.
Pectins are complex heteropolymers mainly composed of negatively-charged α-D-glucopyranosyl uronic acid and some neutral glycosyl residues such as α-L-rhamnopyranose, α-L-arabinofuranose, and...
Pectins are complex heteropolymers mainly composed of negatively-charged α-D-glucopyranosyl uronic acid and some neutral glycosyl residues such as α-L-rhamnopyranose, α-L-arabinofuranose, and...
Cellulose and Pectic Polysaccharides
Every plant cell has a cell wall that protects the cell, provides structural support, and gives the cell shape. Cellulose, the main structural component of the plant cell wall, makes up over 30% of plant matter. It is the most abundant organic compound on earth. Cellulose is an unbranched polysaccharide composed of linear chains of glucose molecules linked by β (1→4) glycosidic bonds.
As a cell matures, its cell wall specializes according to its type. For example, the parenchyma cells of...
As a cell matures, its cell wall specializes according to its type. For example, the parenchyma cells of...
Glycosaminoglycans
Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), also known as mucopolysaccharides, are long and linear polymers comprising of specific repeating disaccharides - the amino sugar that can be N-acetylglucosamine or N-acetylgalactosamine, and a uronic acid that is usually glucuronic acid or iduronic acid.
GAGS are found in the extracellular matrix of vertebrates, invertebrates, and bacteria. Due to their polar nature they attract water, and serve as excellent lubricants or shock absorbers in an animal body.
Hyaluronic...
GAGS are found in the extracellular matrix of vertebrates, invertebrates, and bacteria. Due to their polar nature they attract water, and serve as excellent lubricants or shock absorbers in an animal body.
Hyaluronic...
Glycocalyx and its Functions
The glycocalyx is a carbohydrate-rich, fuzzy-appearing layer on the outer surface of the cell membrane. It is highly hydrophilic, because of this it attracts large amounts of water to the cell's surface. This aids the cell's interaction with the watery environment and also helps it to obtain substances dissolved in the water. It is also important for cell identification, self/non-self determination, and embryonic development and is used in cell-to-cell attachments to form tissues.
Components of...
Components of...
Plant Cell Wall
The plant cell wall gives plant cells shape, support, and protection. As a cell matures, its cell wall specializes according to the cell type. For example, the parenchyma cells of leaves possess only a thin, primary cell wall.Collenchyma and sclerenchyma cells, on the other hand, mainly occur in the outer layers of a plant's stems and leaves. These cells provide the plant with strength and support by either partially thickening their primary cell wall (i.e., collenchyma), or depositing a...
Plant Cell Wall
Plant cells have a cell wall, a rigid outer covering that protects the cell and provides shape and support. During cell division, a mixture of enzymes, proteins, and glucose molecules is transported via vesicles to the center of the cell. These vesicles continuously fuse and build a cell plate between the dividing cells. As the cell plate matures, new polysaccharides are added to it to form the cell walls of the daughter cells. The predominant polysaccharide in the cell wall is cellulose, made...

