Lichenin: Difference between revisions

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'''Lichenin''', also known as '''lichenan''' or '''moss starch''', is a complex [[glucan]] occurring in certain species of [[lichen]]s. It can be extracted from ''Cetraria islandica'' ([[Iceland moss]]).<ref>{{cite journal | coauthors = Perlin AS, Suzuki S | year = 1962 | title = The Structure Of Lichenin: Selective Enzymolysis Studies | journal = [[Canadian Journal of Chemistry]] | volume = 40 | issue = 1 | pages = 50–56 | publisher = [[National Research Council of Canada]] | location = Canada | doi = 10.1139/v62-009 | author = Perlin, A.S. }}</ref> It has been studied since about 1957.<ref>{{cite journal | coauthors = Cunningham WL, Manners DJ | year = 1964 | month = March | title = Studies on carbohydrate-metabolizing enzymes. 11. The hydrolysis of lichenin by enzyme preparations from malted barley and Rhizopus arrhizus | journal = The Biochemical journal | volume = 90 | issue = 3 | pages = 596–602 | publisher = Published by Portland Press on behalf of the Biochemical Society | location = England | issn = 0264-6021 | pmid = 5833367 | last1 = Cunningham | first1 = WL | pmc = 1202740}}</ref> Chemically, lichenin consists of repeating [[glucose]] units linked by β-1,3 and β-1,4 glycosidic bonds.<ref>{{cite journal | title = The Structure of Lichenin: Selective Enzymolysis Studies | author = A.S. Perlin and S. Suzuki | journal = Canadian Journal of Chemistry | volume = 40 | pages = 50–56 | doi = 10.1139/v62-009 | year = 1962}}</ref>

It is an important carbohydrate for [[reindeer]]s and [[northern flying squirrel]]s, which eat the lichen [[wila]].

It can be extracted by digesting Iceland moss in a cold, weak solution of [[sodium bicarbonate|carbonate of soda]] for some time, and then boiling. By this process the lichenin is dissolved and on cooling separates as a colorless jelly. [[Iodine]] imparts no color to it.<ref>{{Cite NIE|Lichenin|year=1905|vb=1}}</ref>

[[Category:Lichens]]

[[de:Lichenin]]