Application Potential of Xylans and Xylo-oligosaccharides

Xylans from beech wood, corncobs, and the alkaline steeping liquor of the viscose process have been shown to be applicable as pharmaceutical auxiliaries [3]. Micro- and nanoparticles were prepared by a coacervation method from xylan isolated from corncobs [150]. The process is based on neutralization of an alkaline solution in the presence of surfactant, which was shown to influence both the particle size and morphology. They are aimed at applications in drug delivery systems. 

Another reason is that xylo-oligosaccharides of defined structure are very important substrates that serve as model compounds for the optimization of hydrolytic processes and in enzymic assays. The enormous development 

Nowadays, a strategic area of research is the development of polymers based on carbohydrates due to the worldwide focus on sustainable materials. Since the necessary multi-step synthesis of carbohydrate-based polymers is not economical for the production of commodity plastics, functionalization of synthetic polymers by carbohydrates has become a current subject of research. This aims to prepare new bioactive and biocompatible polymers capable of exerting a temporary therapeutic function. The large variety of methods of anchoring carbohydrates onto polymers as well as the current and potential applications of the functionalized polymers has been discussed recently in a critical review [171]. Of importance is that such modification renders not only functionality but also biodegradability to the synthetic polymers. 

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