THE STRUCTURE OF AN ARABINOGALACTAN FROM THE LEAVES OF SYMPLOCOS SPICATA

Abstract

The arabinogalactan from the leaves of Sytnplocos spicata contains L–arabinose and D–galactose in the ratio of 5:3. Hydrolysis of the methylated arabinogalactan yielded 2,3,4 tri–O–methyl arabinose, 2,4,di–O–methyl arabinose, 2,3,6 tri–O–methyl galactose and 2,3,di–O–methyl galactose. On the basis of oxidation and characterization and estimation of the methylated sugars in the methylated polysaccharide, a probable structure has been suggested for the arabinogalactan.