COMPARISON OF X-RAY-DIFFRACTION DATA OF GALACTOMANNANS

The crystalline structure of galactomannans with ratio of mannose:galactose from 2:1 to 7:1 was investigated using X-ray diffraction methods. The results of X-ray fiber studies show that the a dimension of the unit cell is highly sensitive to relative humidity and galactose substitution. The b dimension is similar to that of pure (1 → 4)-β-d-mannan. A structure is proposed wherein the a dimension is twice as large as previously reported and where there is isomorphous replacement of chains with varying level of galactose substitution. The interaction of cellulose microfibrils and galactomannans was studied by transmission electron microscopy. © 1979.