Methods of study on conformation of polysaccharides from natural products: A review

Polysaccharides from natural products play multiple roles and have extensive bioactivities in life process. Bioactivities of polysaccharides (e.g., Lentinan, Schizophyllan, Scleroglucan, Curdlan, Cinerean) have a close relation to their chain conformation. Compared to other types of polysaccharides, the conformation of β-glucan has been studied more. The major research methods of conformation of polysaccharides from natural products (Congo red experiment, circular dichroism spectrum, viscosity method, light scattering method, size exclusion chromatography, atomic force microscope), corresponding experimental schemes, and the external factors affecting polysaccharide conformation were reviewed in this paper. These research methods of conformation have been widely used, among which Congo red experiment and viscosity method are the most convenient ones to study the morphological changes of polysaccharide chains.