Study of Galactoglucomannans from the Seed of Cercis canadensis L.

Galactoglucomannans were isolated by selective precipitation from aqueous and alkaline extracts of endosperm and hulls of Cercis canadensis, a member of the family Fabaceae. Their monosaccharide composition (Man : Gal : Glu) was as follows: 10.4 : 0.9 : 1 (polysaccharide from the endosperm) and 4.5 : 0.9 : 1 (polysaccharide from the hulls). The identity of IR spectra was indicative of the similarity of their structure. Analysis of the structure of the galactoglucomannan from endosperm by C-13 NMR spectroscopy showed that its main chain consisted of 1,4-beta-D-manno- and 1,4-beta-D-glucopyranose. Part of the mannose residues in the chain were substituted at C6 with single residues of alpha-D-galactopyranose. Galactoglucomannans are located in different parts of the seed and implement different functions.