1,6-Anhydro-beta-D-glucopyranose (beta-glucosan), a constituent of human urine

When screening for abnormal urinary saccharides with one-dimensional thin-layer chromatography, an unknown component was observed in a position just above that of xylose. This compound was studied by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and identified as the anhydro sugar beta-glucosan. It was observed in approximately 20% of all urine samples investigated by thin-layer chromatography. Excretory levels varied widely from zero up to 5.3 mmol/l. No correlation with age or disease could be established. The compound was thought to be of exogenous origin.