Pentosans are polymers composed of pentoses. In contrast to cellulose, which is composed of hexose (glucose) monomers, pentosans are derived from five-carbon sugars such as xylose. Pentosan-rich biomass is the precursor to furfural.

The pentosan content has been determined for many natural materials:

• 29-25%: oat hulls, cottonseed hulls, barley, sugarcane bagasse, sunflower husks

• 24-20% wheat straw, flax shives, hazelnut shells, birchwood, eucalyptus wood

• 8% pinewood

• 3% peanut shells

Pentosans can act as heparinoids, glycosaminoglycans which are derivatives of heparin.

They can have an influence on bread quality.

See also

• Pentosan polysulfate, a semi-synthetic polysulfated xylan sold for the relief of various medical conditions including thrombi and interstitial cystitis in humans and osteoarthritis in dogs and horses

References

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