Hexosanes
Historical document, translated for reference. It reflects medical knowledge of the 1920s–30s and is not medical advice.
Summary
Hexosanes are anhydrides of sugars (mono-, di-, and trisaccharides) consisting of hexoses, obtained through special chemical treatment of starch. They are crystalline substances that often give a blue coloration with iodine and can polymerize to form high-molecular colloidal aggregates.
Encyclopedia entry (1928–1936)
Hexosanes, anhydrides of sugars (mono-, di-, and trisaccharides) consisting of hexoses (see). Obtained by special chemical treatment of starch. General formula (C6H10O5)n. Depending on the value of n, mono-, di-, and trihexosanes are distinguished. H. are mostly crystalline substances, often giving a blue coloration with iodine. Under certain conditions, they easily polymerize and form high-molecular colloidal aggregates. Such aggregates include, for example, dextrins (see). According to modern views (Pringsheim, Kageg, Bergmann), all polysaccharides (see) - starch, glycogen, cellulose - represent similar colloidal complexes formed by the aggregation of simple units similar in structure to H.; artificially obtained H. are more stable products of intramolecular rearrangements in these units.
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Cite this page
“Hexosanes.” Soviet Medical Encyclopedia. English translation of Bolshaya Meditsinskaya Entsiklopediya, 1st ed. (Moscow, 1928–1936), ed. N. A. Semashko. https://sovietmedicalencyclopedia.pages.dev/article/hexosanes/