Mucilages

The foam nest of the dwarf threadfish ( Trichogaster lalius ) contains animal mucilage.

Mucilages are a heterogeneous group of biopolymers that consist primarily of polysaccharides . Their main property is the absorption of water, so that they can use it to form slimy colloids and gels - so-called hydrocolloids - and serve as protective substances. A distinction is made between animal mucilage , which consists of glycoproteins (in saliva , gastric juice , mucous membrane ) and plant-based mucilage , which consists almost entirely of heteropolysaccharides ( galactan sulfates , and polyuronides such as pectins ). Both groups contain neutral substances and acidic substances, which contain uronic acids instead of monosaccharides as the basic building blocks . A distinction is also made between water-soluble and water-insoluble mucilage .

Occurrence

Animal mucilage

Animal mucilage is secreted to protect the skin and mucous membranes. In addition to saliva and gastric juice, they are also components of cartilage, tendons, skin and other tissues.

Slime excretions can also serve as endogenous building material, e.g. B. for foam nests of some fish and tree frogs or for lining marine living tubes (e.g. sand eels ).

Mucilages of the long-leaved sundew ( Drosera anglica ) with common cup maids as prey.

Vegetable mucilage

Plant-based mucilage occurs in grains , but also in roots, bark, stems and leaves of higher plants and algae . Flaxseed slime , legume slime ( galactomannans ) and tamarind slime are particularly well-known . The pentosans in rye flour (proportion: 6–7%) are of particular importance because they enable the formation of dough in rye bread. (Rye flour does not form such as wheat flour , a gluten framework from which the absorption of water and thus the dough structure caused.) Each gram Gesamtpentosan can bind up to 23 g of water.

use

In the herbal medicine (herbal medicine) used mucilage, among others, the following medicinal plants and lichens :

• Real marshmallow
• Flea seeds
• Coltsfoot
• linseed
• Linden blossom
• okra
• Wild mallow
• Ribwort plantain
• Wool flowers
• Icelandic moss
• Mulberry-leaved nettle

Therapeutic effects

Water-soluble mucilage has a locally emollient, irritation- reducing and enveloping effect on the mucous membranes . Water-insoluble mucilage act primarily in the gastrointestinal tract by increasing the intestinal volume and thus regulating bowel movements. Mucilages are also used to soak up toxins , inhibit inflammation , lower blood sugar and in individual cases also strengthen the immune system .

See also

• mucus
• Mucopolysaccharides

Individual evidence

1. ↑ Medicinal plants at tee.org ( Memento of the original from September 28, 2007 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. . 
2. ↑ ^{a b} Science Online Lexica: Entry on mucilage in the Lexicon of Medicinal Plants and Drugs. Retrieved January 26, 2009.
3. ↑ Okra as a medicinal plant
4. ↑ Kraeuter-verzeichnis.de .
5. ↑ S. Bäumler: Medicinal Plant Practice Today: Portraits, Recipes, Application. Elsevier / Urban & FischerVerlag, 2007, ISBN 978-3-437-57270-8 .