Studies on the Non-Starchy Polysaccharides of the Endosperm of Naked Barley

Abstract

The structure of F-4 β-glucan, a minor component of water soluble non-starchy polysaccharides from the endosperm of naked barley, was elucidated. Hydrolysate of the methylated F-4 β-glucan gave 2, 3, 6-tri-O-methyl-D-glucose and 2, 4, 6-tri-O-methyl-D-glucose as main components with small amounts of 2, 3, 4, 6-tetra-O-methyl-D-glucose and unidentified di-O-methyl-D-glucose. This result indicated that the main chain of F-4 β-glucan consisted of 1, 4- and 1, 3-linked β-D-glucopyranose residues with proportions of approximately 2:1 (β-1, 4 linkage to be predominant) with some branching.