Heteropolysaccharides

The heteropolysaccharides are substances which, by hydrolysis, give rise to several different types of monosaccharides or derivatives thereof. The main ones are:

• Pectin. Component of the cell wall of plant tissues. It abounds in apple, pear, plum and quince. It has a great gelling capacity that is used to prepare jams.
• Agar-agar. It is extracted from red or rhodium algae. It is very hydrophilic and is used in microbiology to prepare culture media.
• Gum arabic. It is extracted from the resin secreted by some trees to heal their wounds.