pentosan

[ pen-tuh-san ]

noun

, Biochemistry.

1. any of a class of polysaccharides that occur in plants, humus, etc., and form pentoses upon hydrolysis.

pentosan

/ ˈpɛntəˌsæn /

noun

1. biochem any of a group of polysaccharides, having the general formula (C 5 H 8 O 4 ) n : occur in plants, humus, etc

Word History and Origins

Origin of pentosan¹

< German (1892), equivalent to Pentos ( e ) pentose + -an -ane

Word History and Origins

Origin of pentosan¹

C20: from pentose + -an