Monosaccharide composition and linkage analysis. (A) GC–MS profile of the monosaccharide composition analysis showing glucose as the main component in this M. sympodialis preparation; and (B) GC–MS profile of the monosaccharide linkage analysis, with respective area counts, showing that a linear 6-linked glucan is the dominant structural unit. Although in minor amounts, the detection of 3-substituted glucose, 3,6- and 4,6-disubstituted glucose (branch points) indicates that the 6-linked glucan may contain a limited number of branching points carrying in part 3-substituted glucose or/and another independent polysaccharide motif composed of these three minor units (with or without 6-substituted glucoses) may be present in this preparation.