Editing Mannans (section)

==Biosynthesis==
GDP-mannose is produced from [[Guanosine triphosphate|GTP]] and [[mannose-6-phosphate]] by the enzyme [[mannose-1-phosphate guanylyltransferase]].

The degradation of mannans (and many related forms of hemicellulose) has been well studied.  The hydrolysis of the main mannan backbone is catalyzed by various enzymes including β-[[mannosidase]], β-[[glucosidase]], and β-[[mannase]]. The side chains are degraded by [[esterase]]s and α-galactosidase.<ref name=overview/>

When a long chain of mannan is [[hydrolyzed]] into shorter chains, these smaller molecules are known as '''mannan [[oligosaccharide]]''' (MOS). MOS by definition can be produced from either insoluble galactomannan or soluble glucomannan, although the latter type is more widely marketed.<ref name=review>{{cite journal |last1=Nopvichai |first1=C |last2=Charoenwongpaiboon |first2=T |last3=Luengluepunya |first3=N |last4=Ito |first4=K |last5=Muanprasat |first5=C |last6=Pichyangkura |first6=R |title=Production and purification of mannan oligosaccharide with epithelial tight junction enhancing activity. |journal=PeerJ |date=2019 |volume=7 |pages=e7206 |doi=10.7717/peerj.7206 |pmid=31304065 |pmc=6611449 |quote=MOS is often prepared by hydrolysis reaction of a mannose-contained glucan polymer, mainly glucomannan and galactomannan. |doi-access=free }}</ref>

[[Glucomannan]] MOS is used as prebiotics in animal husbandry and nutritional supplements due to its bioactivity.{{cn|date=December 2020}}