An arabinogalactan containing 3-O-methyl-D-galactose residues isolated from the aerial parts of Salvia officinalis L.

An arabinogalactan with a high content of 3-O-methyl-D-galactose residues has been isolated from the aerial parts of sage (Salvia officinalis L.). Structural studies of the polymer indicated a beta-1,6-D-galactopyranose backbone in which at least one-third of D-galactopyranosyl residues carries methoxyl groups and another one-third L-arabinosyl side chains at C-3.