Abstract: A polysaccharide having a molecular weight of about 5.times.10.sup.3 to 10.times.10.sup.6 as measured by gel permeation chromatography and composed of 5 saccharides, viz. D-glucose, D-galactose, D-glucuronic acid, D-ribose and D-riburonic acid, in a molar ratio of D-glucose:D-galactose:D-glucuronic acid:D-ribose:D-riburonic acid=10:1.8-2.9:1.8-2.6:0.5-1.7:0.5-1.7, with the content of o-acetyl groups in the polysaccharide being 0-10% by weight.

Abstract: An agent for inducing a phytoalexin comprising a xyloglucan-oligosaccharide as an active ingredient thereof and a method for inducing a phytoalexin in a plant body comprising an application of a xyloglucan-oligosaccharide to the plant. The present invention is useful for promoting growth of a plant and maintaining freshness of a plant while a crop has been grown, or a vegetable or a fruit has been transported and/or stored.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel polysaccharides having the following physicochemical properties: (1) a molecular weight determined by gel filtration chromatography is about 5.times.10.sup.3 to 10.times.10.sup.6, (2) the constituent glycoses are D-galacturonic acid, L-rhamnose and D-glucose, (3) the constituent glycoses are joined substantially by 1,3-linkages, and (4) a configuration of D-galacturonic acid is .alpha., that of L-rhamnose is .beta. and that of D-glucose is .alpha.. A process for producing polysaccharides composed of D-galacturonic acid, L-rhamnose and D-glucose, use of the polysaccharides and a strain for producing the polysaccharides are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel polysaccharides having the following physicochemical properties: (1) a molecular weight determined by gel filtration chromatography is about 5.times.10.sup.3 to 10.times.10.sup.6 (2) the constituent glycoses are D-galacturonic acid, L-rhamnose and D-glucose, (3) the constituent glycoses are joined substantially by 1,3-linkages, and (4) a configuration of D-galacturonic acid is .alpha., that of L-rhamnose is .beta. and that of D-glucose is .alpha.. A process for producing polysaccharides composed of D-galacturonic acid, L-rhamnose and D-glucose, use of the polysaccharides and a strain for producing the polysaccharides are also disclosed.

Abstract: A new glucan derivative having at least one side chain branch of a compound selected from the group consisting of galactopyranose, L-arabinofuranose and oligomers thereof is disclosed. These glucan derivatives have high tumoricidal activity and are usable as a tumoricide.

Abstract: A new glucan derivative having at least one side chain branch of a compound selected from the group consisting of galactopyranose, L-arabinofuranose and oligomers thereof is disclosed. These glucan derivatives have high tumoricidal activity and are usuable as a tumoricide.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel beta-D-glucan derived from a microorganism of the genus Aureobasidium. The beta-D-glucan exhibits physiological activities such as an activity of accelerating excretion of heavy metals, anticholesteremic-activity, and an antioncotic-activity via the cellular immune system.

Abstract: A novel beta-1,3-glucan (ganoderan) is produced by culturing a microorganism of genus Ganoderma. Ganoderan is composed of a backbone structure of beta-1,3-linked D-glucopyranose residues bearing, at some of the C-6 positions, side chains of single beta-1,6-linked D-glucopyranose residue, and, at some of the C-2 positions, side chains of another type wherein 2-4 D-glucopyranose residues are linked via beta-1,4-linkage. Hydrogenation of ganoderan leads to the formation of a polyol-type ganoderan. Intact- and polyol-type ganoderans both having a strong antioncotic activity. They are usable in chemicals, food products, pharmaceuticals, etc.

Abstract: Described is a polysaccharide polyol derived from Volvariella volvacea, which is comprised of the following three types of recurring units. ##STR1## wherein D-Glu is D-glucopyranosyl residue, each number represents the linkage position, X is HOCH.sub.2 CH(CH.sub.2 OH)--O--CH(CH.sub.2 OH)--O--[Formula A] or D-glucopyranosyl and Y is --CH.sub.2 --CH(CH.sub.2 OH)--O--CH(CH.sub.2 OH)--O-- or D-glucopyranosyl, at least a part of X in the recurring units II and III is that of formula A, and, the average number of III is about 4-12 and the average number of the sum II and III is about 16-23, per 100 of the sum of I, II and III. The polysaccharide is prepared by extracting Volvariella volvacea with an aqueous alkali solution and oxidizing and then reducing the soluble fraction to cut parts of C--C bonds of side chains. The polysaccharide is useful and an anti-tumor agent.

Abstract: .beta.-1,3-glucanpolyol derived from .beta.-1,3-glucan produced by a .beta.-1,3-glucan-producing strain of the genus Pestalotia, said glucanpolyol having an intrinsic viscosity [.eta.] of about 1 to about 10 and comprising a main chain having as repeating units .beta.-1,3-glucopyranose units of the following formula.fwdarw.3) .beta.-D-Glc (1.fwdarw.wherein Glc represents a glucopyranose residual moiety, and bonded thereto, either side chains of formula (B), or both side chains of formulas (A) and (B) below ##STR1## wherein n represents a number of from 0 to 1, and .fwdarw.3) .beta.-D-Glc (1.fwdarw. represents the above main chain, and R represents a group derived from .beta.-D-glucopyranose of the formula ##STR2## a process for production thereof, and its pharmaceutical use.

Abstract: A glucan which is characterized by repeating units of [3)--Glc--(1.fwdarw.4)--Glc--(1.fwdarw.4)--Glc--(1.fwdarw.] wherein Glc represents alpha-D-glucopyranose residue.Said glucan may be prepared by cultivating a microorganism of the genus Elsinoe capable of producing said glucan on a nutrient medium to produce said glucan and separating and recovering said glucan.

Abstract: A glucan which is characterized by repeating units of [3)-Glc-(1.fwdarw.4)-Glc-(1.fwdarw.4)-Glc-(1.fwdarw.] wherein Glc represents alpha-D-glucopyranose residue. This glucan may be prepared by cultivating a microorganism of the genus Elsinoe capable of producing this glucan on a nutrient medium to produce this glucan and separating and recovering this glucan. This glucan may be used, for example, in the form of a film for packaging film material.

Abstract: A culture medium composed of necessary sources and tap water is sterilized, inoculated under strains of the genus Streptococcus and then cultivated under aeration and agitation. Subsequent to the cultivation, the resultant was subjected to water-washing and sieving to obtain crude glucan. The crude glucan is then dissolved in NaOH solution and centrifuged. The recovered filtrate is neutralized with HCl and then the insolubilized glucan was collected by centrifugation. After repetition of the procedures, the collected glucan is washed with water thoroughly until no chloride ion is detected in the waste water and then dried to form white purified glucan powder.

Abstract: A culture medium composed of carbon source, nitrogen source and minerals was sterilized at 120.degree. for 15 minutes, inoculated with strains of the genus Streptococcus and then cultivated at 35.degree. C for 72 hours under aeration and agitation. Subsequent to the cultivation, the resultant was subjected to water-washing and sieving to obtain crude glucan. The crude glucan was then dissolved in NaOH solution and centrifuged. The recovered filtrate was neutralized with HCl and then the insolubilized glucan was collected by centrifugation. The collected glucan was washed with water thoroughly until no chloride ion was detected in the waste water and then dried to form white purified glucan powder.