Glucan

Not to be confused with Glycan.

A glucan molecule is a polysaccharide of D-glucose monomers, linked by glycosidic bonds.

Many beta-glucans are medically important. They represent a drug target for antifungal medications of the echinocandin class.

Types

The following are glucans: (The α- and β- and numbers clarify the type of O-glycosidic bond.)

Alpha

Main article: Alpha glucan

• dextran, α-1,6-glucan with α-1,3-branches
• glycogen, α-1,4- and α-1,6-glucan
• pullulan, α-1,4- and α-1,6-glucan
• starch, α-1,4- and α-1,6-glucan

Beta

Main article: Beta glucan

• cellulose, β-1,4-glucan
• chrysolaminarin, β-1,3-glucan
• curdlan, β-1,3-glucan
• laminarin, β-1,3- and β-1,6-glucan
• lentinan, a strictly purified β-1,6:β-1,3-glucan from Lentinus edodes
• lichenin, β-1,3- and β-1,4-glucan
• oat beta-glucan, β-1,3- and β-1,4-glucan
• pleuran, β-1,3- and β-1,6-glucan isolated from Pleurotus ostreatus
• zymosan, β-1,3-glucan

Properties

Properties of Glucans include resistance to oral acids/enzyme and water insolubility.Glucans extracted from grains tend to be both soluble and insoluble.

See also

• Glucanase