The main biologically active components of the cell wall are the pectin-derived oligosaccharides, and the hemicellulosic-derived oligosaccharides. These active molecules named “oligosaccharins” by Albersheim in the mid 70s, include the biologically active oligosaccharides that are produced by partial hydrolysis of polymers of the cell wall. Nevertheless, there is a new prominent and worth line of research, the biological activity of some molecules derived from the primary cell wall polysaccharides.
The rapid progress on plant cell wall research has allowed the comprehension of the different structures, their biosynthesis and functions. Particularly, the different biomechanical properties of the plant cell wall are mainly defined by the content of the polymers cellulose, hemicelulloses and pectins and their interactions [ The main components of the plant cell wall involve different polymers including polysaccharides, proteins, aromatic substances, and also water and ions. The functions of the plant cell wall may be grouped by its contribution to the structural integrity supporting the cell membrane, sense extracellular information and mediate signaling processes. Finally, at differentiation, many cells elaborate with the primary wall a secondary cell wall, building a complex structure uniquely suited to the function of the cell. The middle lamella forms the interface between the primary walls of neighboring cells.
The new primary cell wall is born in the cell during cell division and rapidly increases in surface area during cell expansion. Plant cell wall is a dynamic network highly organized which changes throughout the life of the cell. Therefore this chapter outlines the basis of polymerization with a biological approach in the plant cell wall, highlighting the biological effects of plant cell wall derivatives and their current applications. In this regard the polymerization processes that allow the synthesis of the cell wall and their components in living models are relevant, as well as the properties of the polymers and their derivatives.
They are rich in mixed complex and simple biopolymers, which has opened the door to the development of wide applications in different technologic fields. Plant cell walls represent the most abundant renewable resource on this planet.
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