Identifiers | |
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ChemSpider |
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ECHA InfoCard | 100.029.694 |
KEGG | |
UNII | |
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)
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Properties | |
H(C6H10O5)xOH | |
Molar mass | Variable |
Pharmacology | |
B05AA05 (WHO) | |
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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Dextran is a complex branched glucan (polysaccharide derived from the condensation of glucose), originally derived from wine. IUPAC defines dextrans as "Branched poly-α-d-glucosides of microbial origin having glycosidic bonds predominantly C-1 → C-6".[1] Dextran chains are of varying lengths (from 3 to 2000 kilodaltons).
The polymer main chain consists of α-1,6 glycosidic linkages between glucose monomers, with branches from α-1,3 linkages. This characteristic branching distinguishes a dextran from a dextrin, which is a straight chain glucose polymer tethered by α-1,4 or α-1,6 linkages.[2]