α-D-Mannan binds to such mannose-specific lectin-type receptors (Type 1 fimbriae) of enteropathogenic bacteria such as E. coli and Salmonella spp. and in this way it serves as decoy
and prevents adhesion to the mannose-rich surface glycoproteins of villi and subsequent colonization and dissemination of bacterial pathogens (Firon et al., 1983).