Structure, Classification and Modification of Polysaccharides

As the basic skeletal components in numerous living species, polysaccharides are the most abundant natural polymers on earth. Polysaccharides from various resources, e.g. plant, animal and microbes, shows different types of molecular structures, functional and bioactive properties. This chapter focuses on the classification, structural characterization and molecular modification of natural polysaccharides from the above-mentioned three resources. Their structural differences including monosaccharide composition, glycosidic bonds (linkage patterns), degree of branching/branching position, α- or β-configurations, functional groups, molecular weight and molecular weight distribution are compared. The conformational properties and molecular modification strategies including chemical, physical, and biological modifications are also included.