The Polysaccharides

Polysaccharides provides information pertinent to the fundamental aspects of the chemistry of polysaccharides. This book discusses the methods used for the isolation, purification, and structural determination of the various types of polysaccharide. Organized into 14 chapters, this book begins with an overview of the almost universal occurrence of natural macromolecules in living organisms where they form a variety of functions. This text then examines the isolation of polysaccharides, which involves solubilization in aqueous solvents or in dipolar aprotic solvents. Other chapters consider the industrial applications of polysaccharides and of their derivatives. This book discusses as well the procedure for the isolation of wood polysaccharides, which involves the preparation of a holocellulose by the selective solubilization of the lignin. The final chapter deals with the classes of complex natural polymers in which the nature of the linkage of sugar units to other structural units have been established. This book is a valuable resource for biologists.

Sugar chains (glycans) are often attached to proteins and lipids and have multiple roles in the organization and function of all organisms. "Essentials of Glycobiology" describes their biogenesis and function and offers a useful gateway to the understanding of glycans.

Polysaccharides in Food is a collection of papers that discusses concepts and advancements related to polysaccharides found in food products. The book is divided into five parts; Part I deals with topics such as the polysaccharides of the plant cell during growth; polysaccharide structure in solutions and gels; and the solvent interactions and solution behavior of carbohydrates. Part II covers the relationship of polysaccharides and enzymes and includes topics such as the enzymic degradation of starches; the hemicellulase group of enzymes; and pectic enzymes. Part III discusses the structure and physiochemical aspects of starch, as well as its use in food. Part IV tackles polysaccharides in food product development, and Part V deals with kinds of polysaccharides and the legislations concerning them. Part VI covers the importance of polysaccharides as the population's energy source as well as its health benefits. The text is recommended for food technicians, nutritionists, and organic chemists who would like to know more about the importance of polysaccharides in food and its future.

Bioactive Polysaccharides offers a comprehensive review of the structures and bioactivities of bioactive polysaccharides isolated from traditional herbs, fungi, and seaweeds. It describes and discusses specific topics based on the authors’ rich experience, including extraction technologies, practical techniques required for purification and fractionation, strategies and skills for elucidating the fine structures, in-vitro and in-vivo protocols, and methodologies for evaluating the specific bioactivities, including immune-modulating activities, anti-cancer activities, anti-oxidant activities, and others. This unique book also discusses partial structure-functionality (bioactivities) relationships based on conformational studies. This comprehensive work can be used as a handbook to explore potential applications in foods, pharmaceuticals, and nutraceutical areas for commercial interests. Serves as a comprehensive review on extraction technologies, and as a practical guide for the purification and fractionation of bioactive polysaccharides Brings step-by-step strategies for elucidating the fine structures and molecular characterizations of bioactive polysaccharides Includes detailed experimental design and methodologies for investigation bioactivities using both in-vitro and in-vivo protocols Clarifies how to extract, purify, and fractionate bioactive polysaccharides, also exploring health benefits Useful as a guide to explore the commercial potentials of bioactive polysaccharides as pharmaceuticals, medicine, and functional foods

Sugars, with a scientific term as saccharides, are involved in various aspects in the lives of human beings, including the sense of taste, energy for daily life, etc. Recent development in polysaccharides, as well as the background knowledge in this field, further deepens insight into their roles as healthy supplements. In this book, the principles on polysaccharides' solubility and structure, methodologies and application of polysaccharides have been reviewed. The chapters in this book include the relationship between structure and solubility of polysaccharide, the experimental and computational researches on polysaccharide solubility and the common polysaccharide, which may further aid scholars and researchers in regard to solubility of polysaccharides, methodologies and modification.

Seaweed Polysaccharides: Isolation, Biological, and Biomedical Applications examines the isolation and characterization of algal biopolymers, including a range of new biological and biomedical applications. In recent years, significant developments have been made in algae-based polymers (commonly called polysaccharides), and in biomedical applications such as drug delivery, wound dressings, and tissue engineering. Demand for algae-based polymers is increasing and represent a potential—very inexpensive—resource for these applications. The structure and chemical modification of algal polymers are covered, as well as the biological properties of these materials – including antithrombic, anti-inflammatory, anticoagulant, and antiviral aspects. Toxicity of algal biopolymers is also covered. Finally, the book introduces and explains real world applications of algal-based biopolymers in biomedical applications, including tissue engineering, drug delivery, and biosensors. This is the first book to cover the extraction techniques, biomedical applications, and the economic perspective of seaweed polysaccharides. It is an essential text for researchers and industry professionals looking to work with this renewable resource. Provides comprehensive coverage of the research currently taking place in biomedical applications of algae biopolymers Includes practical guidance on the isolation, extraction, and characterization of polysaccharides from sustainable marine sources Covers the extraction techniques, biomedical applications, and economic outlook of seaweed polysaccharides

Radiation-Processed Polysaccharides: Emerging Roles in Agriculture is the first book to focus exclusively on this emerging and important option for reducing the overuse and negative impact of agrochemicals in agriculture. Among practices being developed for effective and eco-friendly plant growth regulators in crop production, using radiation-processed polysaccharides (RPPs) is a promising technique. Comprised of chapters from diverse areas of plant science, including agriculture, agronomy, biotechnology, nanotechnology, molecular biology, and radiation agriculture, this book provides insights into the practical application of RPPs and inspires further research toward sustainable and efficient agricultural production. Polysaccharides (sodium alginate, carrageenan, chitosan and others) in their depolymerized state are increasingly important to agriculture based on their unique biological properties, biocompatibility, biodegradability and non-toxicity. Understanding the impact of RPPs on the plant phenotype, translocation of nutrients from source to sink, signal processing, and crosstalk helps improve the applicability of RPPs and sustainable agricultural yield. Presents the latest application of RPPs for improved plant production Includes insights for abiotic stress, biotechnology, nanotechnology and molecular application Explores the efficiency of natural polysaccharides as plant growth promoters

This book provides the whole spectrum of polysaccharides from basic concepts to commercial market applications. Chapters cover various types of sources, classification, properties, characterization, processing, rheology and fabrication of polysaccharide-based materials and their composites and gels. The applications of polysaccharides include in cosmetics, food science, drug delivery, biomedicine, biofuel production, marine, packaging, chromatography and environmental remediation. It also reviews the fabrication of inorganic and carbon nanomaterials from polysaccharides. The book incorporates industrial applications and will fill the gap between the exploration works in the laboratory and viable applications in related ventures.

This book provides a first comprehensive summary of acylation methods in a very practical manner. The coverage includes new developments not yet summarized in book form, and reviews spectroscopic methods, in particular FTIR- and NMR spectroscopy including two dimensional methods.