Exopolysaccharide intermolecular interactions

The intermolecular interactions stabilise the helices and greatly influence the properties of exopolysaccharides in solution, ie solubility, viscosity and gel-formation. A strong interaction or good-fit between molecules will lead to insolubility, whereas poor interaction will lead to solubility of exopolysaccharides. The interactions between molecules is influenced by the presence of side-chains. For example, cellulose is insoluble but introduction of a three monosaccharide side-chain into the cellulose chain gives the soluble xanthan. Small changes in the structure of the side-chains can alter the molecular interactions and thus properties of the exopolysaccharide. 

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See also in sourсe #XX -- [ ]

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