Abstract: The present invention provides xyloglucan conjugates useful as molecular anchors for attaching various functional chemical groups to cellulose or cellulosic materials. The functional groups in the xyloglucan conjugates can serve as dyes, fabric softeners, antimicrobial agents, and flame retardants and the like. Also provided are methods of preparing and using the xyloglucan conjugates of the invention.

Abstract: Composition and methods relating to a lipopolysaccharide isolated from Rhizobium galegae that enhances an immune response against an antigen yet does not induce a significant inflammatory response are described herein.

Abstract: This application discloses that two enzymes formerly known in the art as pectin methylesterase (PME) and endopolygalacturonidase (EPG) possess additional catalytic activities as pectin transester synthase (PTES) and pectin transesterase (PTE), respectively. The PTES catalizes the synthetic reaction that covalently cross-links homogalacturonan chains in the primary cell wall via ester bonds. Thus PTES can be employed to form at least one ester bond between two chemical entities, one carrying at least one acid, salt of an acid, or ester group, and one carrying at least one hydroxyl group, e.g., between two polymers, a polymer and a monomeric compound or two monomeric compounds. Further PTES can be employed to form at least one amide bond between two chemical entities, one carrying at least one acid, or ester group, and one carrying at least one amine group, preferably an unsubstituted amine group (—N2).

Abstract: Methods and compositions are disclosed for the prevention and/or treatment of immunological damage to skin exposed to ultraviolet irradiation. The compositions described herein include biologically active tamarind seed xyloglucan oligosaccharides obtained via treatment of tamarind xyloglucan with a fungal &bgr;-glucanase. Advantageously, the cytoprotective tamarind seed xyloglucan oligosaccharides are stable at ambient conditions. In one aspect, the composition includes an aqueous solution of tamarind seed xyloglucan oligosaccharides having a concentration of at least 10−6 &mgr;g per mL of the solution. In another aspect, the method includes preventing the suppression of delayed type hypersensitivity. In yet another aspect, the invention includes reducing the amount of interleukin-10 produced by keratinocytes in the skin.

Abstract: The present invention provides rhamnogalacturonan-II (RG-II) and relates to its ability to complex specific multivalent heavy metal cations. In the presence of boric acid, RG-II monomers form dimers that are cross-linked by a borate ester. The yield of such borate ester cross-linked dimers of RG-II is enhanced in the presence of specific heavy metal cations. The present invention further relates to the utility of RG-II in assays for the detection of specific heavy metal contamination; as a reagent useful in the removal of specific heavy metal cations contaminating foods and liquids, for example, fish, wines, etc.; as a pharmaceutical composition useful as an antidote in specific heavy metal cation poisoning; as a treatment for the detoxification of specific heavy metal cations from blood and/or tissues; and in a method of remediation of waters and soils contaminated with specific heavy metal cations.

Abstract: The gene coding for a fungal endopolygalacturonase inhibitor (PGIP) is cloned and sequenced from both Phaseolus vulgaris genomic and cDNA libraries. The PGIP amino acid sequence, vectors comprising the PGIP gene or parts thereof, and cells transformed by said vecors are also disclosed.This isolated sequences are useful to transform plants, which are sensitive to fungi or microorganism pathogen activities, into plants producing the PGIP protein.