" Which one is the property of Hemicellulose?

Correct option is A

Hemicellulose is a type of dietary fiber found in the cell walls of plants. It differs from cellulose in its composition and properties. Let's break down why option (a) is the correct choice:
(a) Indigestible and insoluble in water:
· Hemicellulose is indigestible by human digestive enzymes, meaning it cannot be broken down or absorbed in the human digestive system. It passes through the gastrointestinal tract relatively intact, contributing to bulk in the stool. Furthermore, hemicellulose is generally insoluble in water, meaning it does not dissolve but instead helps with bowel regularity by adding bulk to stool. Insoluble fibers, like hemicellulose, are important for preventing constipation and promoting digestive health.
Information Booster:
Hemicellulose is an essential component of plant cell walls and serves as a source of insoluble dietary fiber in human diets. It helps in adding bulk to the stool, which is beneficial for promoting bowel health and preventing constipation. Insoluble fibers like hemicellulose pass through the digestive system without being absorbed, making them vital for digestive health.
Additional Knowledge:
(b) Indigestible but soluble in water:
· While some forms of fiber are indigestible and soluble in water, hemicellulose is predominantly insoluble. Soluble fibers (such as pectin) dissolve in water to form a gel-like substance, but this is not a characteristic of hemicellulose.
(c) On hydrolysis yields galacturonic acid and small amounts of galactose and arabinose:
· This property is associated with pectin, not hemicellulose. Pectin is another type of dietary fiber that yields sugars like galacturonic acid when hydrolyzed, making this option incorrect for hemicellulose.
(d) Highly fermented by colonic bacteria:
· Hemicellulose is fermentable to some degree in the colon by bacteria, but not to the extent of soluble fibers like inulin or pectin. It is largely resistant to fermentation, which is why it does not contribute as significantly to gas production or other by-products of fermentation.