Glucan

A glucan molecule is a polysaccharide of D-glucose monomers linked by glycosidic bonds. The following are glucans:

• cellulose, β-1,4-glucan
• Curdlan, β-1,3-glucan
• zymosan, β-1,3-glucan
• dextran, α-1,6-glucan
• glycogen, α-1,4- and α-1,6-glucan
• laminarin, β-1,3- and β-1,6-glucan
• lentinan, a strictly purified beta-1,6:beta-1,3-glucan from Lentinus edodes
• lichenin
• pleuran, β-1,3- and β-1,6-glucan isolated from Pleurotus ostreatus
• pullulan, α-1,4- and α-1,6-glucan
• starch, α-1,4- and α-1,6-glucan

(The α- and β- and numbers clarify the type of O-glycosidic bond.)

Properties of Glucans include resistance to oral acids, water-insoluble, glucose polymers, and resistance to oral enzymes.

Many beta-glucans are medically important.

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