Galacturonic acid groups in birch xylan

Summary A large number of reducing xylose end groups are present in birch wood (Betula verrucosa) while all galacturonic acid moieties are non-reducing. A large portion of the reducing xylose end groups are removed during treatments with alkali used for the islation of xylan, while reducing galacturonic acid moieties are formed by endwise degradation during this procedure.The financial support from the 1959 Års Fond för Teknisk och Skoglig Forskning samt Utbildning is gratefully acknowledged.