Résumé
Polysaccharides of the xylan family are the cell wall polymers most abundant after cellulose in the majority of higher plants. They are mainly present in the lignified secondary walls, where they account for 20–30% of the mass of tissues. This chapter focuses on xylan-type polysaccharides, frequently called arabinoxylans (AXs) found in cereal grains. Xylans are also found in other grains (pea, rapeseed, etc.) or other storage organs (potato tubers, beet roots, etc.) but their role in food is very limited or poorly understood and the literature is scarce.