COMPOSITION OF POLYSACCHARIDES FROM THE ROOTS OF 3 VARIETIES OF RAPHANUS RAPHANISTROIDES

The fractions of high- and low-molecular-weight carbohydrates were obt ained by ethanol precipitation from water extracts prepared from the i nactivated root tissues of three varieties of Raphanus raphanistroides (Makino) Sinsk. var. longipinnatu Bailey. In the hydrolyzates of thes e fractions, individual monosaccharides were identified and quantified by TLC, GLC, and colorimetric assays. The high-molecular carbohydrate fraction from two varieties contained ramnose, arabinose, and glucose , whereas the third variety also contained fructose. Uronic acid was d etected in all samples, comprising 25 - 36% of the sum of neutral suga rs. The fraction of low-molecular-weight carbohydrates contained four neutral monosaccharides: ramnose, arabinose, glucose, and fructose; th e latter amounted to 63 - 96% of the sum. The presence of pectins and low-molecular-weight fructans in all samples is assumed. In addition, two samples evidently contained glucans, and the third sample comprise d fructans with a higher degree of polymerization.