Arabinoxylan

Arabinoxylan is a hemicellulose found in both the primary and secondary cell walls of plants, including woods and cereal grains,[1] consisting of copolymers of two pentose sugars – arabinose and xylose.

Structure

Arabinoxylan chain contains a large number of 1,4-linked xylose units. Many xylose units are substituted with 2, 3 or 2,3-linked arabinose residues.[2]

Functions

Arabinoxylans chiefly serve a structural role in the plant cells.[3] They are also the reservoirs of large amounts of ferulic acid and other phenolic acids which are covalently linked to them. Phenolic acids may also be involved in defense including protection against fungal pathogens.

Arabinoxylans are one of the main components of soluble and insoluble dietary fibers which are shown to exert various health benefits.[4] In addition, arabinoxylans, owing to their bound phenolic acids, are shown to have antioxidant activity.[5] They are also linked to have various functions and health benefits.[6]

References

  1. ↑ McCartney L, et al. (2005). Journal of Histochemistry and Cytochemistry. 53:543–546.
  2. ↑ Dervilly-Pinel G, et al. (2004). Carbohydrate Polymers 55:171–177
  3. ↑ Wakabayashi K, et al (2005). Physiologia Plantarum. 125:127–134
  4. ↑ Izydorczyk MS and Dexter JE (2008). Food Research International. 41:850–868
  5. ↑ Rao RSP and Muralikrishna G (2006). Phytochemistry. 67:91–99
  6. ↑ Guillon F and Champ M (2000). Food Research International. 33:233–245
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