ACETYLATION OF A BETA-1,6-BRANCHED BETA-1,3-GLUCAN, YIELDING SCHIZOPHYLLAN-ACETATE

Several enzymatic and chemical methods were employed to attempt to acy late the homoglucan Schizophyllan. The enzymatic attempts with an immo bilized lipase and a protease failed because of the lack of a suitable organic solvent and for steric reasons. Of the chemical methods attem pted, only strong add catalysis with a large excess of a carboxyl comp ound led to acetylation. The degree of acetylation is discussed.