Polysaccharides are the difficult carbohydrate connections consisting of a set of monomers. They are a part of cells of a human body and perform a set of useful functions. Besides, they found broad application in the industry and medicine.
Use of polysaccharides in medicine
The list of polysaccharides is big, each of them has a number of valuable properties. The most known polysaccharides are starch, cellulose, a dextrin, inulin, chitin, an agar, a glycogen. Most of them are made at factories and the plants in a large number. Primary branch of use of these polysaccharides of course medicine.
All polysaccharides have a number of very useful properties. They render antineoplastic, antiviral, anti-sclerous, anti-toxic action.
The agar, for example, serves as substrate for preparation of various nutrient mediums on which microorganisms breed and studied (in microbiology). Such polysaccharide as a dextran, is successfully applied to preparation of substitutes of plasma of blood. Together with it heparin is in the field used, it is anticoagulant which interferes with blood clotting. Antineoplastic protection of an organism is connected with polysaccharides (glycanes) of some mushrooms. They are capable to increase immunity. The anti-sclerous orientation is of great interest. Polysaccharides form with proteins of blood special complexes which interfere with adjournment of cholesterol on walls of vessels that is very important for prevention of atherosclerosis. Polysaccharides perform anti-toxic function. They remove radionuclides, heavy metals, toxins, cleaning an organism. Polysaccharides stimulate work of a stomach and intestines. Inulin is capable to lower glucose level in blood. It is also shown at obesity, diabetes. In surgical business starch is very demanded. With its help prepare special bandages. It is a part of the enveloping medicines, starches, powders.
Use of polysaccharides in other areas
Polysaccharides found application not only in medicine. Starch is very often applied in the food industry. It gives to products a certain form and consistence (texture). All the known cellulose – an important component for production of paper, cardboard. Derivatives of this polysaccharide are used for production of films. Many of polysaccharides found application in chemical industry. One more group of polysaccharides – gum. With their help it is possible to fight against damages of plants, trees and bushes to gardening. They have bactericidal properties.