Allopectin is a type of polysaccharide that is a component of starch, specifically found in certain plants. It is a branched form of amylopectin, which is one of the two main components of starch, the other being amylose. Allopectin has a similar structure to amylopectin but typically exhibits different branching characteristics. This variation can affect the properties and functionality of starch in various applications, such as in food processing and industry.