Structural studies of the polysaccharide from Aloe plicatilis Miller

The interior part of the leaves of the succulent Aloe plicatilis Miller (Liliaceae) consists of a transparent jelly containing mainly an acetylated glucomannan. Structural studies show that glucose and mannose, which are present in the ratio 1:2.8, are (1 → 4)-linked and that there is no branching. The hexose residues are randomly and variously substituted at positions 2,3,6, 2,3, 2, and 3 with acetyl groups; a small proportion of the sugar units is unsubstituted.