CHEMICAL AND (13)CNMR STUDIES OF ENTEROLOBIUM-CYCLOCARPUM GUM AND ITSDEGRADATION PRODUCTS

A structural study of the gum exudate from Enterolobium cyclocarpum ha s been carried out using chemical methods and C-13 NMR spectroscopy. T he results reveal that the structure of this gum is essentially a beta -(1 --> 3)-galactan. Some galactoses are 6-O-linked and others also oc cur as terminal residues. There is evidence that supports the presence of alpha-L-arabinofuranose and beta-L-arabinopyranose. beta-D-Glucuro nic acid may be present as terminal and internal residues, while the 4 -O-methyl-alpha-D-glucuronic acid residues exist predominantly in inte rnal positions.