Glucan

A glucan molecule is a polysaccharide of D-glucose monomers linked by glycosidic bonds. The following are glucans:
 * cellulose, β-1,4-glucan
 * Curdlan, β-1,3-glucan
 * zymosan, β-1,3-glucan
 * dextran, α-1,6-glucan
 * glycogen, α-1,4- and α-1,6-glucan
 * laminarin, β-1,3- and β-1,6-glucan
 * lentinan, a strictly purified beta-1,6:beta-1,3-glucan
 * lichenin
 * pullulan, α-1,4- and α-1,6-glucan
 * starch, α-1,4- and α-1,6-glucan

(The α- and β- and numbers clarify the type of O-glycosidic bond.)

Properties of Glucans include resistance to oral acids, water-insoluble, glucose polymers, and resistance to oral enzymes.

Many beta-glucans are medically important.

グルカン