Some structural features of Panax ginseng C. A. Mey pectin

Abstract

The pectin isolated from roots of Panax ginseng C. A. Mey, contains residues of d-galacturonic acid, d-galactose, and l-arabinose, as main components, and those of d-xylose, l-rhamnose, and an unidentified sugar, as minor components of its carbohydrate chain. On partial hydrolysis with acid, the pectin afforded a galacturonan having a linear chain of (1 → 4)- and, possibly, (1 → 5)-linked α- d-galacturonic acid residues. Pectinase digestion of the pectin furnished a neutral, pectic polysaccharide in which l-arabinofuranose residues apparently occur in the exterior chains. On partial hydrolysis with acid, the polysaccharide afforded a branched galactan and an acidic heteropolysaccharide. The galactan contains chains of (1 → 3)- and (1 → 6)-linked d-galactopyranose residues. The heteropolysaccharide appears to contain sequences involving d-galactose residues, and others involving residues of d-galacturonic acid, d-xylose, and l-rhamnose.