The, soluble polyglucose of sweet corn (zea mays)

The two water-soluble polyglucoses of sweet corn (var. Golden Bantam) have now been investigated. The view cannot be substantiated that these amylaceous polysaccharides (which are separated by their relative solubilities in 67% acetic, acid) are structurally different. Evidence is given which shows each to have the characteristics of a glycogen rather than of a starch. Further, their properties are consistent with the view that 67% acetic acid effects an arbitraty fractionation of a polymer-homologous series of glycogen-type molecules for which it is proposed that the name "phytoglycogen" be reserved. It is demonstrated that extensive amylolytic degradation occurs during the aqueous extraction of the grain and that when enzyme action is inhibited by Hg⁺⁺ during extraction no degradation products of starch or glycogen are found.