Biochemical studies on α-1,4-glucosans

Abstract

As the α-l,4-glucosans are such an important factor in the metabolism of plants and animals, it is of great interest to know the chemical structure of these polysaccharides. Intensive studies have, therefore, been carried out on α-1,4-glucosans during the past 20-30 years. The result is that the two components of starch, and glycogen were among the first polysaccharides to be analysed by chemical, physical and biological methods, and to be synthesised in vitro.This thesis is concerned with attempts to obtain further information about the fine structure of these polysaccharides using a variety of methods for analysis, but with special reference to enzymic degradation methods. As an introduction to this work, a short review of the earlier investigations in the field will be given