Plant Biopolymer Science: Food and Non-Food Applications (Royal Society of Chemistry Special Publication)

Research into plant biopolymers, their structural characteristics and related physicochemical and functional properties is of increasing significance in the modern world. This is particularly true in relation to sustainable agriculture, environmentally friendly processes and new technology requirements and safe products. This unique book reports on the very latest research on plant biopolymer science, from biosynthesis through to applications. It describes specifically developments in the study of the biosynthesis of macromolecules and biopolymer design, going on to model systems such as biopolymer assemblies, interfaces and interphases. Finally, a discussion of multiphasic systems shows how these concepts may be extended to everyday applications. With contributions drawn from the international scientific community, "Plant Biopolymer Science: Food and Non-Food Applications" provides an overview of the state-of-the-art for a variety of readers, which will include students, researchers and teachers in academia to professionals in industry and government agencies. Synthases of all polymers containing (14)-linked glucosyl, mannosyl and xylosyl residues have overcome a substrate-orientation problem in catalysis because this particular linkage requires that each of these sugar units be inverted nearly 180° with respect to its neighbors.