Structure of a pectic polysaccharide fraction from zea shoots

A pectic fraction, accounting for about 0.3% of the total cell wall polysaccharide, was derived from the hot water extract of an insoluble fraction of the buffer-homogenate of Zea shoots. The pectic polysaccharide fraction was characterized by fragmentation analysis after hydrolysis with acid and Erwinia carotovora pectate lyase. The results suggest that the fraction consists of mostly a linear homopolygalacturonan with neutral sugar components or a homogalacturonan and a rhamnogalacturonan with neutral sugar components.