Analysis of Plant Oligo‐ and Polysaccharides

Abstract

In this chapter, basic methods for the isolation and the determination of the structure of plant oligo- and polysaccharides are described. They of course can be characterized best if isolated in high purity. Therefore, first the extraction of polysaccharides from plant material and then the separation of polysaccharides mixtures are described before presenting some important methods for the analytical characterization of polysaccharides. For details and further specific methods, the extensive literature needs to be consulted. Keywords: oligo- and polysaccharides: extraction and isolation; determination of molecular weight; colorimetric assays; hydrolysis; alditol acetates; silylation; methylation analysis; periodate oxidation; mass spectrometry; NMR spectroscopy