The structure and molecular size of the polysaccharide components of the seeds of Hevea brasiliensis

Seeds contain a wide variety of polysaccharides. hese polymers may vary in function from skeletal omponents of the cellulose and hemicellulose type to starch-like food storage materials. In addition, here may be present complex mucilages and pectins. Some of these polysaccharides are relatively simple in structure, whilst others are extremely complicated. The constituents depend on the species of the plant, although it would appear that seeds of I the same family usually contain polysaccharides of similar structure. Seed-materials provide, in fact, a very extensive and attractive field for investigation, although the problems involved are difficult and entail (1) the extraction and separation of the polysaccharide mixture, (2) the determination of the nature and configuration of the structural units in the components, and (3) the determination of the molecular size of the components. Few studies on these lines have been reported. In the investigations outlined below, the endosperm of the seeds of the rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis), has been separated into its polysaccharide components and the constitution and size of two of these studied.