A glucan molecule is a polysaccharide of D-glucose monomers linked by glycosidic bonds. The following are glucans:

• cellulose
• pullulan
• laminarin
• starch
• glycogen
• dextran
• lichenin

Medical applications

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Glucans form part of the cell wall of certain medically important fungi, including Candida and Aspergillus species. An assay to detect the presence of (1→3)β-D-glucan in the blood has been produced by Fungitell and is marketed as a means of diagnosing invasive fungal infection in patients.

References

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