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heteropolysaccharides

Heteropolysaccharides are polysaccharides composed of two or more distinct monosaccharide residues. This contrasts with homopolysaccharides, made from a single monosaccharide. Heteropolysaccharides are widespread in nature and can be linear or branched.

Common examples include glycosaminoglycans in animal tissues (hyaluronic acid, chondroitin sulfate, heparin), plant pectins (galacturonic acid-rich

Functional roles of heteropolysaccharides are diverse. They act as structural components in extracellular matrices; contribute to

Biosynthesis and applications: in animals and plants, heteropolysaccharides are synthesized by specific glycosyltransferases in the Golgi

domains
and
rhamnan
linkages),
and
microbial
or
algal
exopolysaccharides
such
as
xanthan
gum,
gellan
gum,
and
carrageenans.
These
polymers
often
carry
charged
groups
(carboxylate,
sulfate)
and
may
be
sulfated
or
acetylated,
which
influences
solubility
and
gel-forming
properties.
hydration
and
lubrication
in
joints;
participate
in
defense,
signaling,
and
biofilm
formation
in
microbes;
and
serve
as
storage
polymers
in
some
organisms.
Their
physical
properties
depend
on
the
composition
and
arrangement
of
monosaccharides,
degree
of
sulfation
or
acetylation,
and
molecular
weight,
leading
to
a
range
of
rheological
behaviors
including
thickening
and
gelation.
or
extracellularly;
in
microbes,
they
are
secreted
as
extracellular
polymers.
Due
to
biocompatibility
and
rheological
properties,
heteropolysaccharides
have
wide
uses
in
medicine
and
industry,
including
hyaluronic
acid
in
ophthalmology
and
cosmetics,
heparin
as
an
anticoagulant,
xanthan
and
gellan
gums
as
food
thickeners,
and
carrageenans
in
food
and
pharmaceutics.