1. number of fructosyl units in the molecule. The fructosyl moieties of fructans exist in the furanose form, whereas the glucosyl moieties of most reserve polysaccharides exist in the more rigid pyranose form (Pontis and del Campillo, 1985). Fructans are non-reducing, very soluble in hot water and soluble to vary¬ing extents in cold water. Their degree of polymerization varies with species and with the physiological state of the plant tissue, but is in all cases low compared with the degree of polymerization of starch.