Hemicelluloses are the plant polymers that are the main components of cell walls. It contents were estimated as the sums of the nonglucan anhydro-sugars in the straw including the xylan, galactan, arabinan and mannan, measured in te compositional analyses.
Hemicelluloses are highly branched because of the bonds that form among the sugars that make them up, and they form a network that coats the much larger cellulose microfibrils.
Both cellulose and hemicellulose function as a supporting material in the cell walls. Hemicellulose is the main constituent of cereal fibers.
Hemicellulose is important for its ability to absorb water. Bacteria can break down hemicellulose to allow some absorption by the human body.
Hemicellulose promotes peristalsis of the bowel and prevents constipation.
Most hemicelluloses are found in interspersed within or in the boundaries of the amorphous regions of the cellulose chains and in close association within lignin. Hemicellulose may be the connecting material between cellulose and lignin.
Foods that are relatively high in hemicellulose include bran and whole grains as well as nuts, legumes, and some vegetables and fruits.
The polymer of hemicellulose
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