Search Results (1,203)

To upgrade the utilization of Syzygium samarangense in food industries, the key biological component, i.e., polysaccharide, was extracted from the fruit by alkaline treatment, and its structural characteristics, physicochemical properties, gelling properties and biological activities were investigated. The findings demonstrated that the alkaline-extracted S. samarangense polysaccharide (SSP-AK) predominantly exists as a pectic polysaccharide with a high rhamnogalacturonan-I domain. The monosaccharide composition primarily includes rhamnose, glucuronic acid, galacturonic acid, glucose, galactose, and arabinose. The molecular weight distribution of SSP-AK was characterized by two peaks, with fraction 1 exhibiting a high molecular weight of 7658 kDa and fraction 2 exhibiting a molecular weight of 345.3 kDa. Meanwhile, SSP-AK exhibited excellent rheological behavior and gelling properties upon Ca²⁺-induced gelation, which may be related to its relatively low degree of esterification of 41.3%. Further studies revealed that higher concentrations of pectin and Ca²⁺ led to the formation of stronger gels. The SSP-AK gels exhibited superior rheological properties, increased hardness, enhanced water-holding capacity, and a more compact network structure than the other gels. Moreover, SSP-AK exhibited significant in vitro antioxidant activity and immunomodulatory effects, including significantly enhancing the DPPH and ABTS radical-scavenging abilities and production of NO, IL-6, and TNF-α in RAW264.7 cell models. This study enhances the understanding of S. samarangense cell wall polysaccharides and may facilitate their application in the development of functional and health-oriented food products. Full article

This study evaluated the structural, physicochemical, and functional characteristics of blueberry residue dietary fiber (DF) extracted by wet ball milling (WB) and cross-linking (C) treatments. The particle size of WB-DF showed a significant decreasing trend (p ≤ 0.05) compared to that of C-DF and blueberry residue. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) demonstrated that WB treatment unfolded the flaky structure of DF and caused more pores to occur. The results showed that the modifications of WB increased the release of active groups and enhanced the hydration and adsorption capacities. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis showed the highest crystallinity observed for C-DF, resulting in the increased thermal stability of C-DF. The molar ratios of monosaccharides were also influenced by different modification techniques. In addition, WB-DF showed the lowest ζ-potential and highest viscosity among all samples. Conclusively, DF extracted by WB treatment exhibited remarkable application potential in the functional food industry. Full article

In this study, the polysaccharides of Coreopsis tinctoria buds (CTBPs) were extracted by hot water, ultrasound, alkali solution, and acid solution, and the four kinds of extracted polysaccharides were denoted Hw, Ultra, Al, and Ac. Then, the Hw were degraded by ultrasound, an alkali solution, and an acid solution, and the three resultant kinds of polysaccharides were denoted Ultra-Post-proc, Al-Post-proc, and Ac-Post-proc. The study comprehensively compared and analyzed the physical and chemical characteristics, structural properties, and in vitro activities of each polysaccharide. The extraction and treatment methods significantly affected the chemical composition, molecular weight (Mw) and potential of the CTBPs. The contents of carbohydrates, total phenol, and protein in Al were the highest, at 78.79 ± 0.62%, 81.69 ± 0.70 mg GAE/g and 4.82 ± 0.10%, respectively. The different methods did not change the monosaccharide composition of CTBPs, but affected the monosaccharide proportion and reduced the Mw of CTBPs. The absolute zeta potential value of Al was the highest, indicating that the solution was the most stable. CTBPs had the characteristic structure of polysaccharides, and Al-Post-proc had a triple helix structure. Additionally, CTBPs also had good water and oil holding abilities, as well as bile acid binding ability. CTBPs displayed good activity in vitro, among which Al possessed the best α-glucosidase inhibitory activity and the strongest free radical scavenging ability, and also well inhibited the generation of glycosylation products and protein oxidation products in the bovine serum albumin (BSA)-fructose model. These findings provide support for a theoretical basis for the application of polysaccharide from Coreopsis tinctoria bud in pharmaceutical and functional foods. Full article

The aim of this research was to characterize the structure, physicochemical properties and anti-complement activities of two strawberry fruit polysaccharides (DSFP-500 and DSFP-700) obtained by ultrasonic degradation. The molecular weight (M_w) of DSFP-500 was 809 kDa and the M_w of DSFP-700 was 791 kDa, obviously lower than the 9479 kDa weight of the native polysaccharide (PSP). DSFP-500 and DSFP-700 were both composed of the same monosaccharides (Man, Rha, Gal, Glc, Gal and Ara) but the molar ratios were different. The two degraded polysaccharides had good thermal stabilities, as well as good water holding capacity (WHC) and oil holding capacity (OHC). The WHCs of DSFP-500 and DSFP-700 were 5.53 ± 0.08 and 5.70 ± 0.03 g water/g, and the OHCs of DSFP-500 and DSFP-700 were 9.34 ± 0.15 and 9.28 ± 0.29 g oil/g. DSFP-500 and DSFP-700 showed strong free radical scavenging activities in vitro; the ABTS⁺• scavenging rates of DSFP-700 and DSFP-500 were 55.97 ± 0.68% and 52.06 ± 0.85% at 4.0 mg/mL, respectively. Moreover, DSFP-500 and DSFP-700 both had anti-complement activities through the classical pathway and the alternative pathway, though DSFP-700 was more effective than DSFP-500. These findings indicated the potentiality of the degraded polysaccharides from strawberry fruits in functional food and medicine development. Full article

A Polygonatum cyrtonema Hua (PCH) is a common medicinal and edible plant whose rhizomes are widely used for the treatment and prevention of various diseases. Previous studies have revealed a variety of chemical components such as polysaccharides, saponins, and flavonoids, which possess a variety of biological activities such as antimicrobial, lipid-regulating, anti-aging, hypoglycemic, and anti-inflammatory. However, to date, the structure and activity of its oligosaccharide components are still unclear. In this study, we developed a method combining ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography with Q-Exactive Orbitrap mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap MS) and monosaccharide analysis for the identification of oligosaccharides in PCH. Finally, a total of 44 oligosaccharides, including 27 fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS), 10 arabino-oligosaccharides (AOS), and 7 others, were identified based on the precise relative molecular mass and fragment ion information provided by high-resolution mass spectrometry, in combination with standard comparison, monosaccharide composition analysis, and the relevant literature reports. All of those oligosaccharides were reported for the first time. These findings laid the foundation for the subsequent study of its medicinal substances and provided a theoretical basis for the more comprehensive development and utilization of PCH as a medicinal and edible product. Full article

This paper describes the first detailed NMR analysis of the borylated intermediates and target compounds for a small library of pyrrolidine iminosugars of l-gulose absolute stereochemical configuration. The iminosugars were functionalised via N-alkylation to bear a boronate ester or boronic acid groups. The addition of the organic boron pharmacophore allows to further explore the chemical space around and in the active sites, where the boron atom has the capability to make reversible covalent bonds with enzyme nucleophiles and other nucleophiles. We discuss the concurrent complex equilibrium processes of mutarotation and borarotation as studied by NMR. Full article

Background/Objectives: The deterioration of food quality and safety is often linked to the presence of pathogenic and spoilage microorganisms. Postbiotics, including organic acids, enzymes, and bacteriocins produced by lactic acid bacteria (LAB), have emerged as promising next-generation food preservatives. This study investigates the biological and physicochemical properties of several postbiotic-based extracts (PBEs) comprising cell-free supernatant (CFS) and exopolysaccharide (EPS) fractions derived from three native probiotic strains: Lactiplantibacillus plantarum UTNGt2, Lactococcus lactis UTNGt28, and Weissella cibaria UTNGt21O. Methods: The antibacterial activity of these PBEs was assessed against multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli L1PEag1. Moreover, the antioxidant capacity and cytotoxicity along with the characterization of these formulations was assessed. Results: FU6 (CFS UTNGt28: EPS UTNGt2) and FU13 (CFS UTNGt21O) were found as the most potent formulations. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) confirmed dose- and time-dependent damage to the bacterial membrane and cell wall. FU6 exhibited superior antioxidant activity and lacked hemolytic effects, whereas both FU6 and FU13 induced cell-specific responses in HEK293 (human kidney) and HT-29 (intestinal mucus-producing) cell lines. Furthermore, attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy identified characteristic absorption bands corresponding to proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, and nucleic acids, while proton nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H-NMR) spectroscopy revealed key monosaccharides, amino acids, and metabolites such as lactate and acetate within the extracts. Conclusions: FU6 and FU13 demonstrate potential as safe and effective postbiotic formulations at non-concentrated doses. However, further research is required to elucidate their molecular composition comprehensively and evaluate their applicability for broader and long-term use in food preservation and pharmaceutical development. Full article

Under conditions of increasing anthropogenic load, aquatic ecosystems all over the world are undergoing a transformation, expressed in the growth of eutrophication, the overgrowing of water bodies with higher vegetation of macrophytes, cyanobacterial bloom, and the increased concentrations of different pollutants in these objects. In the region of Eastern Siberia that we studied, located in the middle reaches of the Lena River basin, there is the city of Yakutsk—the largest city in the world built in a permafrost region. Within the city and its surroundings, there are many small lakes (less than 1 km² in area) which over the past decades have been subject to varying degrees of pressure associated with human activity (nutrients and organic matter loads, urban landscape transformation). This study is the first to combine the metabolomic profiling of Potamogeton perfoliatus with microalgal bioindication to assess anthropogenic impacts in permafrost urban lakes, providing a novel framework for monitoring ecological resilience in extreme environments. We studied four lakes with varying degrees of anthropogenic pressure. Using a comprehensive assessment of the bioindicator properties of planktonic microalgae and the chemical parameters of water using statistical methods and principal component analysis (PCA), the lakes most susceptible to anthropogenic pressure were identified. Concentrations of pollutant elements in the tissues of the submerged macrophyte aquatic plant Potamogeton perfoliatus L., which inhabits all the lakes we studied, were estimated. Data on the content of pollutant elements in aquatic vegetation and the results of metabolomic analysis made it possible to identify the main sources of anthropogenic impact in the urbanized permafrost area. The pollution of water bodies with some key pollutants leads to Potamogeton perfoliatus’s metabolites decreasing, such as sucrose, monosaccharides (arabinose, mannose, fructose, glucose, galactose), organic acids (glyceric acid, malic acid, erythronic acid, fumaric acid, succinic acid, citric acid), fatty acids (linoleic and linolenic acids), myo-inositol, 4-coumaric acid, caffeic acid, rosmarinic acid, shikimic acid, and catechollactate, caused by pollution which may decrease the photosynthetic activity and worsen the sustainability of water ecosystems. Linkage was established between the accumulation of pollutants in plant tissues, the trophic status of the lake, and the percentage of eutrophic microalgae, which can be used in monitoring the anthropogenic load in the permafrost zone. Knowledge of the composition and concentration of secondary metabolites produced by macrophytes in permafrost lakes can be useful in organizing water resource management in terms of reducing the level of cyanobacterial blooms due to allelochemical compounds secreted by macrophytes. This new work makes possible the evaluation of the permafrost-zone small-lake anthropogenic load in the frame of a changing climate and the growing attention of the industry to Arctic resources. Full article

Tricholoma matsutake, as a rare wild edible mushroom, is popular due to its unique flavor and taste, as well as high nutritional and economic value. Investigating the relationship between the complex structure and in vitro immunological activity of TMP-2a, a novel polysaccharide isolated from T. matsutake, was the aim of this study. The results showed that TMP-2a consisted of six monosaccharides, fucose, glucosamine hydrochloride, galactose, glucose, mannose, and glucuronic acid, with molar ratios of 8.8:0.6:23.4:48.1:15.1:4.0 and a molecular weight of 27,749 Da. Furthermore, TMP-2a was mainly composed of →6)-β-Glcp-(1→ with →3)-β-D-Glcp-(1→ forming the main chain, with a small amount of →2,6)-α-D-Manp-(1→ and →6)-α-D-Galp-(1→ structural units attached, and the branched chain was mainly composed of β-Glcp-(1→ or a small amount of α-L-Fucp-(1→ as a telosaccharide attached at the O-6 position of →3,6)-β-D-Glcp-(1→. TMP-2a enhanced the proliferation and phagocytic activity of mouse macrophage RAW264.7, as well as the secretion of NO and cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β) to a considerable degree, maybe attributable to its glucan structure and the elevated presence of (1→3)-β-D-Glcp glycosidic bonds. This study establishes a basis for the structural identification and comprehensive investigation of the functional activities of T. matsutake polysaccharides while also offering a theoretical framework for the creation of T. matsutake-related food products. Full article

Polysaccharides derived from Dendrobium officinale have been demonstrated to exhibit metabolic regulatory properties. However, the correlation between their structure and function, particularly their mechanism of action through gut microbiota, remains underexplored. This study systematically elucidates the structural characteristics of Dendrobium officinale polysaccharide (DOP) from the Guizhou (GZ) and Zhejiang (ZJ) provinces of China using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and a series of chromatographic analyses, revealing their unique molecular features. Additionally, the metabolic regulatory activities were assessed through α-glucosidase inhibitory assay and in vitro intestinal flora activity assay. The findings include the following: (1) both DOP-GZ and DOP-ZJ predominantly consist of glycosidic linkages of β-1,4-Manp and β-1,4-Glcp; (2) zhe monosaccharide composition ratios of mannose to glucose are 2.51:1 for DOP-GZ and 2.66:1 for DOP-ZJ, with molecular weights of 356 kDa and 544 kDa, respectively, indicating significant structural differences between DOPs from different sources; (3) treatment with DOP-GZ and DOP-ZJ led to alterations in the α-diversity indices and Firmicutes-to-Bacteroidota ratios; (4) more importantly, DOP-GZ and DOP-ZJ significantly increase the abundance of beneficial bacteria (e.g., g_Proteobacteria_unclassified) while suppressing the growth of pathogenic bacteria (e.g., f_Enterobacteriaceae_unclassified), with statistically significant results. These findings not only uncover a novel mechanism by which DOPs regulate metabolism through gut microbiota but also provide a crucial theoretical basis for the application of DOPs in functional foods and pharmaceutical development. Full article

Selenium–polysaccharides possess antioxidant properties, making them promising materials for functional foods, pharmaceuticals, and clinical applications. This study examines the incorporation of selenium into polysaccharides via mycelial biosynthesis and its effects on structure and antioxidant activity. Polysaccharides obtained from Lentinula edodes-submerged cultures grown in Se-supplemented and non-supplemented media were analysed for Se content (RP-HPLC/FLD), structure (FT-IR, HPLC, and HPGPC-ELSD), and antioxidant activity (DPPH scavenging, reducing power, and Fe²⁺ chelation). Two low-molecular-weight Se–heteropolysaccharides (Se-FE-1.1 and Se-FE-1.2) containing ~80 and 125 µg/g Se were isolated, primarily composed of glucose, mannose, and galactose with β-glycosidic linkages. Se incorporation into polysaccharides selectively enhanced their antioxidant activity in the DPPH radical scavenging assay, with minimal effects observed in iron chelation and reducing power assays. Crude Se–polysaccharides displayed the highest antioxidant activity, suggesting an additional contribution from protein components. Our findings demonstrate that Se is effectively incorporated into polysaccharides, altering monosaccharide composition while preserving glycosidic linkages. The selective enhancement of radical scavenging suggests that selenium plays a specific role in antioxidant activity, primarily influencing radical scavenging mechanisms rather than interactions with metal ions. Further research is needed to clarify the mechanisms of selenium incorporation, the nature of its bonding within the polysaccharide molecule, and its impact on biological activity. Full article

Aging is associated with a decline in physiological performance leading to increased inflammation and impaired immune function. Polysaccharides (PLs) found in plants, fruits, and fungi are emerging as potential targets for therapeutic intervention, but little is known about their effects on chronic inflammation and aging. This review aims to highlight the current advances related to the use of PLs, with the presence of arabinose, to attenuate oxidative stress and chronic and acute inflammation, and their immunomodulatory effects associated with antioxidant status in monocytes, macrophages, and neutrophil infiltration, and leukocyte rolling adhesion in neutrophils. In addition, recent studies have shown the importance of investigating the ‘major’ monosaccharide, such as arabinose, present in several of these polysaccharides, and with described effects on gut microbiome, glucose, inflammation, allergy, cancer cell proliferation, neuromodulation, and metabolic stress. Perspectives and opportunities for further investigation are provided. By promoting a balanced immune response and reducing inflammation, PLs with arabinose or even arabinose per se may alleviate the immune dysregulation and inflammation seen in the elderly, therefore providing a promising strategy to mitigate a variety of diseases. Full article

Background/Objectives: This study explores the bioactive potential of Bovistella utriformis biomass and its polysaccharides (PsBu) through comprehensive biochemical and bioactivity analyses, focusing on their antioxidant, cytotoxic, and antihyperglycemic properties. Methods: Elemental analysis determined the biomass’s chemical composition. Antioxidant activity was assessed using ABTS and DPPH assays. Monosaccharide composition was analyzed via gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). In vitro cytotoxicity assays were conducted on cancer and normal cell lines to determine IC₅₀ values and selectivity indices (SI). Zebrafish embryo toxicity was evaluated for teratogenic effects, and an in vivo antihyperglycemic study was performed in diabetic rat models. Results: The biomass exhibited high carbon content (around 41%) and nitrogen levels, with a balanced C/N ratio nearing 5. Protein content exceeded 50%, alongside significant carbohydrate, fiber, and ash levels. Antioxidant assays revealed inhibition rates of approximately 89% (ABTS) and 64% (DPPH). GC-MS analysis identified glucose as the predominant sugar (>80%), followed by galactose and mannose. Additionally, HPLC detected a photoprotective compound, potentially a mycosporin-like amino acid. Cytotoxicity assays demonstrated PsBu’s selective activity against colon, lung, and melanoma cancer cell lines (IC₅₀: 100–500 µg·mL⁻¹), while effects on normal cell lines were lower (IC₅₀ > 1300 µg·mL⁻¹ for HaCaT, >2500 µg·mL⁻¹ for HGF-1), with SI values approaching 27, supporting PsBu’s potential as a targeted anticancer agent. Zebrafish embryo assays yielded LC₅₀ values ranging from 1.4 to 1.8 mg·mL⁻¹. In vivo, PsBu reduced fasting blood glucose levels in hyperglycemic rats (approximately 210 mg·dL⁻¹ vs. 230 mg·dL⁻¹ in controls) and preserved pancreatic β-cell integrity (around 80% vs. 65% in controls). Conclusions: These findings suggest that B. utriformis biomass and PsBu exhibit strong antioxidant activity, selective cytotoxicity against cancer cells, and antihyperglycemic potential, making them promising candidates for further biomedical applications. Full article

This study aimed to optimize the ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) of polysaccharides from fermented Astragalus membranaceus (FAPS) and to investigate the physicochemical properties and antioxidant activities of the extracted polysaccharides. Using a combination of single-factor experiments and response surface methodology based on a Box–Behnken design, we improved the extraction of crude FAPS without deproteinization. Under optimal conditions (50 °C, 60 min, 8 mL/g, 480 W), the yield of crude FAPS obtained by UAE (7.35% ± 0.08) exceeded the yield from convectional hot water extraction (6.95% ± 0.24). After protein removal, the FAPS was subjected to comprehensive chemical analyses, including HPLC, HPGPC, FT-IR, UV spectroscopy, and a Congo red assay. The results showed that FAPS had a significantly higher carbohydrate content compared to the non-fermented group (95.38% ± 6.20% vs. 90.938% ± 3.80%), while the protein content was significantly lower than that of the non-fermented Astragalus polysaccharides (APS) group (1.26% ± 0.34% vs. 6.76% ± 0.87%). In addition, FAPS had a higher average molecular weight and a lower Mw/Mn ratio compared to APS. The primary monosaccharides in FAPS were identified as Glc, Ara, Gal and GalA, with a molar ratio of 379.72:13.26:7.75:6.78, and FAPS lacked a triple helix structure. In vitro, antioxidant assays showed that FAPS possessed superior antioxidant properties compared to APS. These results emphasize the significant potential of FAPS as an antioxidant, possibly superior to that of APS. The results of this study suggest that fermentation and UAE offer promising applications for the development and utilization of Astragalus membranaceus for human and animal health. Full article

Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis) has booming application prospects in the feed industry as a value-added probiotic. Considering the intermediate and end saccharides of glucan and xylan digestion during lignocellulose biorefinery processing, the various digested saccharides were detected to disclose the bio-uptake and fermenting characteristics by solo or co-fermentation, especially with respect to five monosaccharides, cellobiose, and functional food additive—xylo-oligosaccharides (XOS). B. subtilis can directly ferment XOS without xylose, achieving a cell yield of 0.71 g/g, while it hardly utilizes cellobiose except glucose co-fermentation. With a 5 g/L glucose addition and co-fermentation, bacterial cell yield was improved to 0.70 g/g. In total, B. subtilis had a 0.56–0.90 g/g cell yield from corncob-digested saccharides and the highest saccharide-uptaking rate of 98%. This study provides critical insights and experimental data to advance lignocellulosic biorefinery technologies, particularly for probiotics production and simplification of enzymatic hydrolysis, as well as the potential application in high value-added XOS biopurification. Full article