Polysaccharides

Polysaccharides in peat derive from the cell walls and storage compounds of the original bog plants. They include cellulose, hemicellulose, sphagnan (a pectin-like polysaccharide unique to sphagnum), and various degradation products. Their concentration decreases as peat ages and humification progresses.

Sphagnan

Sphagnan is a pectin-like polysaccharide unique to sphagnum moss with documented antimicrobial and wound-healing properties. It contributes to the preservative environment of peat bogs and is one of the reasons sphagnum was historically used in wound dressings.

Cosmetic Relevance

Polysaccharides contribute moisture-retention properties to peat applications. Their hygroscopic nature helps attract and hold water on the skin surface, complementing the occlusive effects of the lipid fraction. In less decomposed peat, the polysaccharide content is higher, making younger peat potentially more moisturizing.