Synonym(s)
Galactans; Polygalactans
DefinitionThis section has been translated automatically.
Galactans, also called galactanes or polygalactans, are a group of branched, water-soluble polysaccharides. Galactans belong to the group of hemicelluloses. They consist mainly of D-galactose or 3,6-anhydro-L-galactose. Some galactans are homoglycans (composed exclusively of D-galactose), but most are heteroglycans (composed of different sugar molecules, such as the disaccharide "lactose"). Galactans are found in plants, e.g. in agar-agar.
Prof. Dr. med. Peter Altmeyer