The glucomannan system from Aloe vahombe (liliaceae). III. Comparative studies on the glucomannan components isolated from the leaves.

The polysaccharide mixture obtained by hot water extraction of Aloe vahombe leaves is composed of at least four different paritally acetylated glucomannans which differ in molecular weight, glucose to mannose ratios and acetyl contents. Furthermore, one fraction contains a small but significant amount of protein which could not be removed by gel filtration in a hydrogen-bond-breaking medium, by DEAE-Sephadex A-50 anion exchange chromatography, or by Sevag's method.