THE CONSTITUTION OF A POLYURONIDE HEMICELLULOSE FROM WHEAT STRAW

Abstract

The structure of a polyuronide hemicellulose from wheat straw containing xylose, arabinose, and hexuronic acid units has been investigated. Graded hydrolysis preferentially removed anhydro-L-arabinose units leaving a xylan to which uronic acid units were attached. Methylation and hydrolysis yielded 2,3,4-trimetliyl xylose (2.7%) indicating one nonreducing end group per 37 units; 2,3,5-trimethyl-L-arabinose, 2,3-dimethyl-D-xylose, and 2-methyl-D-xylose were found in a molar ratio 1:5:1. In addition, a methylated uronic acid complex was recovered which on extensive hydrolysis yielded an aldobiuronic acid. The latter, on reduction with sodium borohydride, yielded 2,3,4-trimethyl glucose (1 mole) and 2-methyl xylose (1 mole); the structure 2-methyl 3[2,3,4-trimethyl α-D-glucuronosido] D-xylose was therefore indicated for the methylated aldobiuronic acid.A structure for the hemicellulose is proposed which consists of approximately 32 anhydro-D-xylose units linked β 1,4- in a chain to which five anhydro-L-arabinose and three D-glucuronic acid units are attached as side groups by 1,3-glycosidic bonds. Results of periodate oxidation and estimation of reducing power support the proposed structure.