An arabinogalactan containing 3-O-methyl-d-galactose residues isolated from the aerial parts of Salvia officinalis L.

An arabinogalactan with a high content of 3-O-methyl-d-galactose residues has been isolated from the aerial parts of sage (Salvia officinalis L.). Structural studies of the polymer indicated a β-1,6-d-galactopyranose backbone in which at least one-third of d-galactopyranosyl residues carries methoxyl groups and another one-third l-arabinosyl side chains at C-3.