α-D-glucopyranosyl is a type of monosaccharide (simple sugar) that has a six-carbon backbone and an aldehyde functional group. It is a building block of complex carbohydrates such as starches, cellulose, and glycogen. In its straight chain form, α-D-glucopyranosyl is referred to as glucose. The term “α-D-glucopyranosyl unit” refers to a single unit of the α-D-glucopyranosyl […]
Amylose was probably the first biopolymer for which a helical structure was proposed (Hanes, 1937). The well-known deep-blue complex formed with iodine was later proved to involve amylose in a helical conformation (Rundle and French, 1943), details of which have been a matter of dispute until the present time (Nimz et al., 2003; Calabrese and […]
Starch, a ubiquitous carbohydrate found in plants, plays a pivotal role in our daily diet. Beyond its dietary significance, starch harbors a complex structure, primarily composed of two key polysaccharides—amylose and amylopectin. This article navigates the intricate landscape of starch, unraveling the chemical intricacies of its components and shedding light on the structural parameters that […]