Alkaline Degradation of Inulin and Its Structural Implications

[摘要] Alkaline degradation of inulin under controlled conditions shows that not all molecules in an inulin preparation are nonreducing and, thus, alkali-stable and suitable for clinical measurements. Reducing "inulin" molecules are degraded by the normal beta-alkoxy carbonyl mechanism, and the main product of degradation in calcium hydroxide solution is "α"-D-glucosaccharinic acid. An inulin preparation can be made alkali- stable by sodium borohydride reduction. There appears to be a difference in the alkali lability of inulin and other fructan preparations obtained from different sources.

[学科分类] 过敏症与临床免疫学