The subject of the present invention is the use of particular polysaccharides as admixtures for mineral materials, especially as admixtures for mineral binders. These polysaccharides have, characteristically: a weight-average molecular weight M.sub.w of at least 500 g/mol and at most 9000 g/mol, especially between 700 and 7000 g/mol; and a degree of branching DB of at least 10%, especially between 10 and 40%. The invention also relates to the combined use, in mineral materials, including especially mineral binders, of these particular polysaccharides on the one hand and of certain other admixtures on the other hand, for example admixtures, of saccharidic or nonsaccharidic type, having a plasticizing, superplasticizing or other functionality.