Structural description Xyloglucans are hemicellulosic polysaccharides present in the primary cell walls of all types of higher plants.
Xyloglucans consist of a β-D-(1-4) glucan backbone with α-D-xylosyl residues attached to the 6-position of approximatively 75% of the glucosyl residues of the backbone. Some of the α-D-xylosyl residues are themselves substituted at the 2-position with b-galactosyl or α(1-2) Fucosyl-β(1-2) galactosyl moieties.
Activities and Uses Xyloglucan is a source of biologically active oligosaccharides and polysaccharides. They have been shown to control plant development and metabolism. Oligosaccharides issued from apple and tamarind are considered as biofertilizers and elicitors of plant defences (Elicityl Patents).
Additionally, Xyloglucans were indicated to possess immunomodulatory activity (Rosário MM et al., Phytochemistry. 2008 Jan; 69(2):464-72) and are also likely to be used as immunoprotective ingredients in sun creams.
Recommended paper: A. Lama-Mu?oz et al. Food Hydrocolloids 28 (2012) 92-104