mannan

American  

[man-an, -uhn] / ˈmæn æn, -ən /

noun

Biochemistry.

1. any of a group of polysaccharides, found in the ivory nut, carob bean, and the like, that yield mannose upon hydrolysis.

---

Etymology

Origin of mannan

First recorded in 1890–95; mann(ose) + -an

Example Sentences

Instead, “to my surprise, it's very rich in mannan, a type of polysaccharide common in plants, but nowhere near the quantity present in acai,” she says.

From National Geographic • Dec. 14, 2023

Silva’s research developed ways to break down mannan into mannose, a valuable sugar with potential applications in the cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and food industries.

From National Geographic • Dec. 14, 2023

Silva’s group has obtained a patent from the Brazilian government to convert mannan into mannose and to make it into a prebiotic called mannan oligosaccharide.

From National Geographic • Dec. 14, 2023

While certain types of wood have up to 15 percent of mannan, this carbohydrate molecule is responsible for 50 percent of an acai seed’s weight.

From National Geographic • Dec. 14, 2023

Schultze and Maxwell state that raw coffee contains galactan, mannan, and pentosans, the latter present to the extent of 5 percent in raw and 3 percent in roasted coffee.

From All About Coffee by Ukers, William H. (William Harrison)