Mannan [1] is a plant polysaccharide , a linear polymer of mannose sugar . Plant mannans are formed from residues of mannose linked by β (1-4) bonds. This is one form of reserve polysaccharide . The source of mannans is ivory .
The term mannan also refers to the polysaccharide of the yeast cell wall. This mannan consists of a main chain with α (1-6) bonds and side branches in which mannose is linked by α (1-2) and α (1-3) bonds. Serologically, these compounds are similar to structures found in mammalian glycoproteins .
The binding of mannans located on the cell surface of pathogens to proteins by lectins leads to their lysis and activation of the lectin pathway . Yeast mannans are the main source for the production of food additives based on mannanoligosaccharides used as prebiotics in animal husbandry and food production.
Notes
- ↑ MeSH Mannan