Glucan

A glucan molecule is a polysaccharide of D-glucose monomers^[1] linked by glycosidic bonds.

Many beta-glucans are medically important.

Types

The following are glucans: (The α- and β- and numbers clarify the type of O-glycosidic bond.)

Alpha

• dextran, α-1,6-glucan
• glycogen, α-1,4- and α-1,6-glucan
• pullulan, α-1,4- and α-1,6-glucan
• starch, α-1,4- and α-1,6-glucan

Beta

• cellulose, β-1,4-glucan
• curdlan, β-1,3-glucan
• laminarin, β-1,3- and β-1,6-glucan
• chrysolaminarin, β-1,3-glucan
• lentinan, a strictly purified β-1,6:β-1,3-glucan from Lentinus edodes
• lichenin, β-1,3- and β-1,4-glucan
• pleuran, β-1,3- and β-1,6-glucan isolated from Pleurotus ostreatus
• zymosan, β-1,3-glucan

See also

• Fructan

Properties

Properties of Glucans include resistance to oral acids/enzyme and water insolubility.

References

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