POLYSACCHARIDES FROM THE LEAVES OF PLANTAGO-LANCEOLATA L, VAR LIBOR - AN ALPHA-D-GLUCAN

A crude mucilage, composed Of L-arabinose (26.0 %), D-galactose (35.8 %), D-glucose (21.9 %), D-mannose (4.6 %), L-rhamnose (4.6 %), and uronic acids (6.9 %), has been isolated from the leaves of Plantago lanceolata L., var. LIBOR. From this mucilage a homogeneous, water-soluble alpha-D-glucan has been separated by successive chromatography on DEAE-Sephadex A-50 and Sephadex G-75. The results of methylation analysis, periodate oxidation, and C-13 NMR measurement indicated a linear character of the polysaccharide chain composed of alpha-D-glucopyranose units, linked by (1 --> 6) glycosidic bonds.