NUCLEAR-MAGNETIC-RESONANCE STUDIES OF HOMOPOLYSACCHARIDES RELATED TO STARCH

One- and two-dimensional H-1 and C-13 NMR spectra were obtained for a variety of homopolysaccharides, including the glucans dextran and pullulan, and the fructans levan and inulin. The NMR results provided information about the primary structure of these polysaccharides. Our results are in agreement with those determined previously by methylation analysis and other classical methods. The number of alpha(1-->4) and alpha(1-->6) linkages could be quantitated for pullulan. The presence of a single nonreducing glucose residue in the polyfructose inulin could also be demonstrated. In the case of the branched polysaccharides dextran and levan, it was possible to determine the degree of branching. In addition for lower molecular weight polysaccharides such as inulin and partially hydrolyzed dextran, it was possible to detect signals arising from reducing and non-reducing end groups. Their approximate molecular weight could be determined by quantitation of these signals.