To those outside the biochemical scientific field, mucilaginous polysaccharide are just two words that are difficult to pronounce and have no meaning. To simplify, they indicate a chemical structure consisting of a long chain of plant sugars linked together to form a starch. The functional component of Aloe is a complex starch and is also referred to as a B-(1,4)- linked mannan. These biological sugar molecules are classified as carbohydrates. The Aloe mannans were given the trade name of Acemannan by the American Medical Association. Those B-(1,4) mannan chains unique to the Aloe plant can be collectively termed “Polymannans”.
When polymannans enter the body, they attach to every cell surface membrane bound to a receptor site. Once attached, they activate cells of the immune system, wandering through the body to monitor tissue for damage, dysfunction, infection, malignant change and other abnormal conditions. The polymannans occurring naturally in Aloe Vera enhance rather than override the immune system. One of the unique properties of polymannan is that it is not broken down in the digestive system. Unlike other forms of starch or sugars used as an energy source, polymannans from Aloe Vera are preserved until they are absorbed from the digestive tract and delivered to damaged cells.
Mannatech Australia distributes its flagship nutritional supplements, Manapol and Ambrotose Life which contain polymannans from Aloe Vera to modulate the immune system” - The Miracle in Aloe Vera by Neecie Moore.
