An Arabinogalactan from the Seeds of Limonia acidissima: Isolation, Purification and Structural Features

Abstract

Polysaccharides were extracted from the seeds of Limonia acidissima
with water. The chemical compositions of the soluble extracts and insoluble
materials were determined. Presence of pectic substances, polymers containing
xylose and glucose and xylans were indicated. The material isolated
by water was fractionated by anion exchange and gel permeation chromatography
and the structure of the purified pectic polysaccharides was investigated
using acid hydrolysis, methylation analysis, periodic oxidation
and spectroscopic experiments. Type II arabinogalactan was the major
polysaccharide in the water extract.