Cell-wall polysaccharides from the fruits of Limonia acidissima: isolation, purification and chemical investigation

Polysaccharides were isolated from the fruits of Limonia acidissima by sequential extraction with water, and 1 M and 4 M KOH. The water extract contained pectic polymers substituted with side chains comprising mainly of 1,5-, 1,3,5-linked arabinose together with 1,4-, 1,6-, 1,3,6-linked galactose, and lesser amounts of 1,2,4- and 1,3-linked galactose residues. Galactosyl and arabinofuranosyl groups terminated most of the branched residues. The alkaline extracts contained both pectic and hemicellulosic polymers. The insoluble material consists mainly of cellulose-rich material.