polysaccharide

[ pol-ee-sak-uh-rahyd, -rid ]

noun

, Chemistry.

1. a carbohydrate, as starch, inulin, or cellulose, containing more than three monosaccharide units per molecule, the units being attached to each other in the manner of acetals, and therefore capable of hydrolysis by acids or enzymes to monosaccharides.

polysaccharide

/ -ˌrəʊs; -rɪd; ˌpɒlɪˈsækəˌrəʊz; ˌpɒlɪˈsækəˌraɪd /

noun

1. any one of a class of carbohydrates whose molecules contain linked monosaccharide units: includes starch, inulin, and cellulose. General formula: (C 6 H 10 O 5 ) n See also oligosaccharide

polysaccharide

/ pŏl′ē-săk′ə-rīd′ /

1. Any of a class of carbohydrates that are made of long chains of simple carbohydrates (called monosaccharides). Starch and cellulose are polysaccharides.
2. Compare monosaccharide

Word History and Origins

Origin of polysaccharide¹

First recorded in 1890–95; poly- + saccharide

Example Sentences

The researchers also tested a hydrogel adhesive that includes chitosan, a naturally occurring polysaccharide, and found that this adhesive also eliminated fibrosis in animal studies.

From Science Daily

Since chitin is a very high molecular weight polysaccharide, traditional processing techniques rely on caustic chemicals to break it down.

From Science Daily

He sometimes recommends polysaccharide extract from turkey tail as a supplement for selected patients.

From National Geographic

Fiber is used as an umbrella term for indigestible plant polysaccharides, so there are many different types with varying fermentability, solubility and viscosity in the gut.

From Salon

The mycelium fibers from the fruiting body contain proteins, chitin, and polysaccharides, which make them ideal for making packaging materials, soundproofing, textiles, and much more.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• cellulose
• glucose
• lactose
• starch
• sugar