The molecule is a heteroglycan consisting of beta-(1->4)-linked D-glucose (G) and D-mannose (M) in a proportion of 5:8. The basic polymeric repeating unit has the pattern: GGMMGMMMMMGGM, with branching through beta-(1->3)- and beta-(1->6)-glucosyl linkages. Acetate groups are present on C-6 every 9-19 units of the main chain. It has a role as a nutraceutical.
(2S,3S,4S,5S,6R)-2-[(2R,3S,4R,5R,6S)-6-[(2R,3S,4R,5S,6S)-4,5-dihydroxy-2-(hydroxymethyl)-6-[(2R,4R,5S,6R)-4,5,6-trihydroxy-2-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-3-yl]oxyoxan-3-yl]oxy-4,5-dihydroxy-2-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-3-yl]oxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxane-3,4,5-triol