A GALACTOMANNAN FROM CASSIA-SPECTABILIS DC SEEDS

A galactomannan containing D-galactose and D-mannose in the molar rati o 1:2.04 has been isolated from the seeds of Cassia spectabilis. Based on the results from methylation, periodate oxidation and Smith degrad ation, partial acid hydrolysis, enzymatic hydrolysis, H-1 and C-13 NMR spectral analyses of the polysaccharide, a branched structure having mannan backbone composed of (1 --> 4) linked beta-D-mannopyranosyl uni ts attached by (1 --> 6) linked alpha-D-galactopyranosyl single-unit s ide chains (1 per 2.0 main chain units) is proposed for average repeat ing unit of the galactomannan.