The molecule is an oligosaccharide consisting of deamino-alpha-neuraminyl residues linked (2->8) (degree of polymerisation = 2--7; average degree of polymerisation ~ 3). It derives from a deamino-alpha-neuraminic acid.
(2R,4S,5R,6R)-6-[(1R,2R)-2-[(2R,4S,5R,6R)-2-carboxy-6-[(1R,2R)-2-[(2R,4S,5R,6R)-2-carboxy-4,5-dihydroxy-6-[(1R,2R)-1,2,3-trihydroxypropyl]oxan-2-yl]oxy-1,3-dihydroxypropyl]-4,5-dihydroxyoxan-2-yl]oxy-1,3-dihydroxypropyl]-2,4,5-trihydroxyoxane-2-carboxylic acid