Glucan

A glucan molecule is a polysaccharide of D-glucose monomers [MeshName|Glucans] linked by glycosidic bonds.

Many beta-glucans are medically important.

Types

The following are glucans:
*cellulose, β-1,4-glucan
*Curdlan, β-1,3-glucan
*zymosan, β-1,3-glucan
*dextran, α-1,6-glucan
*glycogen, α-1,4- and α-1,6-glucan
*laminarin, β-1,3- and β-1,6-glucan
*lentinan, a strictly purified beta-1,6:beta-1,3-glucan from "Lentinus edodes"
*lichenin
*pleuran, β-1,3- and β-1,6-glucan isolated from "Pleurotus ostreatus"
*pullulan, α-1,4- and α-1,6-glucan
*starch, α-1,4- and α-1,6-glucan

(The α- and β- and numbers clarify the type of O-glycosidic bond.)

Properties

Properties of Glucans include resistance to oral acids/enzyme and water insolubility.

References