Polysaccharides from lower plants: Bryophytes

Bryophytes, which are considered to be the first land plants, are the second largest taxonomic group in the plant kingdom. Polysaccharides in bryophytes play a key role in the evolution of chemical diversity of vegetation, and they also function as a structural material. Additionally, polysaccharides are believed to be involved in bryophyte stress tolerance and other functions in this plant kingdom group. Despite the recent progress in bryophyte phytochemistry, bryophyte polysaccharides as a group of substances are largely neglected. Still, major differences in the polysaccharide composition in comparison with higher plants can be identified. In Sphagnum mosses, a unique polysaccharide sphagnan has been found, and its possible applications are on the way. Further, a relatively large group of carbohydrates that form bryophyte polysaccharides has been identified, and their functions in the development of bryophyte stress tolerance are discussed. Study of bryophyte polysaccharides is a challenging and prospective field of research, with a potential of providing not only considerable new knowledge about this group of substances, their functions, evolution of chemical compounds and chemical diversity, but also new applications of bryophyte carbohydrates.