EXTRACTION OF POLYSACCHARIDES FROM VEGETABLE AND MICROBIAL MATERIAL

摘要

Useful polysaccharides, such as .beta.-1,3-glucans, from a biological raw material can be solubilised and/or isolated by treating the raw material wit h an oxidising agent that leads to oxidation of primary hydroxyl groups in the glucan. The oxidising agent is preferably a catalytic amount of a nitroxyl compound in the presence of a re-oxidising agent such as hypochlorite or an oxidative enzyme with oxygen or hydrogen peroxide. The polysaccharide retain s its useful properties during this treatment and is, moreover, more readily available. If desired, protein material from the raw material can also be utilised.