Xylans are a diverse and complex group of polysaccharides with
the common feature of a backbone of β-(1 → 4)-linked xylose
residues [1], in which side-chains are attached at the C2 and C3
positions of D-xylosyl. These substituents can normally be acetyl,
4-0-methyl-D-glucuronosyl or L-arabinosyl groups [2,3]. Xylan is
the predominant hemicellulose found in plant cell walls strongly
associated to cellulose microfibrils and the strength of this
interaction is inversely related to the degree of substitution of the
main chain by side-groups [4].