Structural study on a bioactive fructan from the root of Achyranthes bidentata Blume

The structure of a saccharide component (Abs), with pronounced activity of improving immunity system, isolated from the root of Achyranthes bidentata Blume, a traditional Chinese herbal medicine, was studied. Based on 13C NMR, HPLC, and methylation analyses, Abs was shown to be a mixture of short‐chain fructans with an average dp of8, containing more (2→6) than (2→l) linked β‐D‐fructofuranosyl residues, with branching at O‐6 or O‐1 of 18% of the D‐fructofuranosyl residues.