Polysaccharides, natural degradable

Plug degradation could also be achieved by enzymes being directly incorporated into the plug. In an example, plugs containing pectin, a natural polysaccharide, were degraded by pectinolytic enzymes, whereby the lag time of the system was controlled by the ratio of pectin to enzymes (Fig. 10). 

In 1947, L-rhamnose was first recognized by Stacey as a constituent of Pneumococcus Type II specific polysaccharide. This finding was confirmed, in 1952, by Kabat et al. and in 1955 again by Stacey when 2,4- and 2,5-di-O-methyl-L-rhamnose were synthesized and the former was shown to be identical with a di-O-methylrhamnose, obtained by hydrolysis of the methylated polysaccharide. This result indicated a pyranose ring structure for the rhamnose units in the polysaccharide. Announcement of the identification of D-arabinofuranose as a constituent of a polysaccharide from M. tuberculosis aroused considerable interest. The L-enantiomer had been found extensively in polysaccharides, but reports of the natural occurrence of D-arabinose had been comparatively rare. To have available reference compounds for comparison with degradation products of polysaccharides, syntheses of derivatives (particularly methyl ethers) of both d- and L-arabinose were reported in 1947. 

Xanthan has several undesirable properties. It ordinarily forms microgel particles that can plug permeability(137), it is expensive relative to other natural polysaccharide gel agents, and it resists degradation by ordinary gel breaker additives. These features have kept xanthan applications in fracturing gels to a minimum. Some literature(138) on xanthan has appeared. 

Polysaccharides are hydrophilic natural polymers that can be degraded enzymatically. Block copolymers containing polysaccharide as a block were reviewed recently... 

---