Hydrolytic stability of water-soluble spruce O-acetyl galactoglucomannans

Water-soluble native O-acetyl galactoglucomannan (GGM) from spruce is a polysaccharide that can be produced in an industrial scale. To develop GGM applications, information is needed on its stability, particularly under acidic conditions. Therefore, acid hydrolysis of spruce GGM was investigated at various pH levels and temperatures. The results allow an estimation of the stability of GGM under food processing conditions and in biological systems. Determination of the average molar mass demonstrated that spruce GGM was stable at pH 1 and 37°C, as well as at pH 3 and 70°C. GGM was hydrolysed at pH 1 and 90°C. GGM oligomers and monomers were detected after degradation. Some of the oligomers contained O-acetyl groups. Monosaccharides were the predominant products in the hydrolysates after treatment at pH 1 and 90°C for 48 h. Pentoses, present in GGM samples as impurities, were released more easily than GGM hexoses. Glucose was more difficult to release than mannose. Traces of 6-deoxy-mannose and levoglucosan were found in the hydrolysates, indicating further degradation of hydrolysed monosaccharides.