An acetylated galactoglucomannan from Picea abies L. Karst Original Research Article

A water-soluble galactoglucomannan composed of d-galactose, d-glucose, and d-mannose in 1:3:17 mole proportion has been isolated from the secondary cell walls of Picea abies L. Karst. About 33% of the polysaccharide units were substituted by acetyl groups. Structural studies of the polymer indicated a β-(1→4)-linked glucomannopyranosyl backbone with a low content of branch points at O-6 of mannosyl and glucosyl residues. A preference for mannosyl groups indicates the presence of a single d-galactosyl unit side-chain. About half of the mannose residues were O-acetylated at C-2 and C-3 in 1.7:1 mole proportion.