Investigation on the structure of the hemicellulose obtained from the fiber of Sansevieria trifasciata leaves

Abstract

Partial hydrolysis, with 0.5 m sulfuric acid for 6 h at 100°, of a pure hemicellulose fraction released from the extractive-free, delignified fiber of Sansevieria trifasciata leaves by 4% alkali yielded several oligosaccharides, from which two acidic and two neutral oligosaccharide fractions could be isolated in good yields. These oligosaccharides were characterized. Analysis of the Smith degradation product of the hemicellulose fraction furnished additional evidence for the structure of the hemicellulose.