Review of Konjac Glucomannan: Isolation, Structure, Chain Conformation and Bioactivities

Abstract

Konjac glucomannan (KGM), a kind of neutral polysaccharides isolated from Amorphophallus konjac K. Koch, is known as a non-calorie indigestible dietary fiber. However, its widespread application is hindered by some technical diffi- culties in its extraction and purification, as well as a lack of thorough understanding of the structure and function relationship of this polysaccharide. This review aims at highlighting the various areas of research conducted on KGM in the past years, including its extraction and purification processes, the analysis of structure, the determination of its chain conformation as well as its bioactivities.