β2→1-Fructans Modulate the Immune System in a Microbiota-Dependent and -Independent Fashion.

It has been shown that only specific dietary fibers contribute to immunity, but studies are not conclusive. Here, we investigated degree of polymerization (DP) dependent effects of β2→1-fructans on immunity microbiota-dependent and -independent effects. To this end, conventional or germ-free mice received short- or long-chain β2→1-fructan for 5 days.

Mode of action of xylogalacturonan hydrolase towards xylogalacturonan and xylogalacturonan oligosaccharides.

XGH (xylogalacturonan hydrolase; GH 28) is an enzyme that is capable of degrading XGA (xylogalacturonan), which is a polymer of alpha-D-galacturonic acid, highly substituted with beta-D-xylose. XGA is present in cell walls of various plants and exudates, such as gum tragacanth. XGA oligosaccharides were derived from an XGH digestion of gum tragacanth, then fractionated, and analysed for their sugar composition and structure by matrix-assisted laser-desorption ionization-time-of-flight MS and nanospray MS.