Structural and compositional studies of potential immunomodulatory polysaccharides found in locally grown plants

Ramsout, Ronica

Structural and compositional studies of potential immunomodulatory polysaccharides found in locally grown plants

Master Thesis

2007

Publisher

University of Cape Town

Department

Department of Chemistry

Faculty

Faculty of Science

Abstract

This project looked at the composition and structure of polysaccharides extracted from two locally grown plants, namely Aloe ferox and Agave americana, to evaluate them as possible sources of commercial health products. Aloe vera, a well known medicinal plant with many healing properties, contains acemannan, a highly water-soluble mannose rich glucomannan, which has demonstrated immunogenic responses in humans and animals. Aloe ferox, a locally grown species, is commercially marketed as an equivalent to Aloe vera and is being substituted in various health products. This project examined the suitability of Aloe ferox as a substitute for Aloe vera by investigating the chemical nature of the water-soluble Aloe ferox polysaccharides. Findings from composition analysis revealed that polysaccharides found in the leaves of Aloe ferox are not mannose rich and are not highly soluble in water, like their Aloe vera counterparts; but instead are more readily soluble in aqueous (NH₄)₂C₂O₄ as previously reported.

Description

Includes bibliographical references (leaves 74-79)

Keywords

Chemistry

Reference:

Collections

Masters

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