Important Concepts Effect of Acids and Bases.
Hydrolysis decreases the degree of polymerization of polysaccharides.
All polysaccharides do not hydrolyze at the same rate and several factors influence the rate of acid hydrolysis of polysaccharides. The Table below shows the hydrolysis rates of several glycosides, and this is followed by a listing of the major factors influencing hydrolysis rates. Beta glycosidic bonds are more stable than alpha, and beta-linked glucosides are the most stable glycosidic bonds. Location of the Glycosidic Bond within the polysaccharide chain and the length of the polysaccharide. The rate is higher at the end of a polysaccharide due to increased flexibility.