Search Results (549)

This is the first work to screen an optimal extraction method for Citrus reticulata Blanco cv. Tankan peel polysaccharides (CPP). The CPP was extracted using hot water extraction (HWE), acid extraction (AAE), enzyme extraction (EAE), high-pressure extraction (HPE), and ultrasound extraction (UAE), named CPP-W, CPP-A, CPP-E, CPP-P, and CPP-U, respectively. Results showed that CPP-A and CPP-P had higher extraction yields than other CPPs. The five CPPs varied chemically in molecular weight, monosaccharide composition, and microstructure, but shared similar IR spectra and core glycosidic linkages, indicating differential degradation while preserving core structures during extraction. Among these CPPs, CPP-A, CPP-E, and CPP-U exhibited stronger immunological activities, attributed to high galacturonic acid and low molecular weight. Moreover, CPPs significantly promoted secretion of cytokines (nitric oxide, NO; prostaglandin E₂, PGE₂; interleukin-6, IL-6; tumor necrosis factor-α, TNF-α) by activating downstream inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2)-related mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) pathways. Overall, CPP-E possessed high extraction yield, low molecular weight, and strong immuno-stimulatory activity, suggesting that enzyme-assisted extraction was the optimal approach for extracting CPP. Full article

Rosa damascena and Rosa rugosa, which are the two most commercial species in the Rosa genus, are used to make rose oil, cosmetics, and functional foods. The majority of polysaccharide constituents of both species is structurally diverse and demonstrates promising biological activities, such as moisturizing, immunomodulation, and antioxidant activity. The extraction technique has a significant impact on the yield, purity, and bioactivity of polysaccharides. Traditional extraction methods (hot water, ethanol) are simple and economical, yet they typically produce low yields and degrade sensitive compounds. Novel extraction methods (pressurized liquid extraction, enzyme-assisted extraction, ultrasound-assisted extraction, microwave-assisted extraction, supercritical fluid extraction) offer higher efficiency, selectivity, and sustainability, while better preserving polysaccharide structure and bioactivity. This review serves as a comparative summary of conventional versus novel extraction methodologies of polysaccharides from R. damascena and R. rugosa, with particular consideration towards the yield, polysaccharide structural integrity, sustainability, and industrial conduct of each methodology. In addition, it summarizes the distribution and functional role of selected polysaccharides in the various organs of the plants, while also providing an overview of their antioxidant mechanisms and potential bioactive applications in health. Challenges and critical factors that surround specific species, standards for processes, and extraction methods, and that therefore appeal to time and economic considerations, are identified. In efforts to optimize the extraction methodology, the high economic and functional potential of the Rosa species can be maximized in the interest of healthy, functional consumables for the pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and cosmetic industries. Full article

The coffee cherry processing produces various waste products, such as coffee husks, which are a valuable source of pectin and phenolic acids that can be used as high-value biomolecules in human and animal food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical production chains. This study aims to optimize the eco-friendly extraction of polysaccharides, as pectin, and phenolic compounds from coffee peel using response surface methodology (RSM). This model was used to evaluate the extraction variables (temperature, time, pH, ionic strength, ultrasonic frequency, particle size, and solid/liquid ratio in water) to identify the critical factors. All responses were fitted to the RSM model, which revealed high estimation capabilities. Ionic strength and temperature were found to be critical process variables for pectin extraction, while the main factors responsible for phenolic extraction were ultrasonic frequency, pH, and solid/liquid ratio. Therefore, the operating conditions to optimize the extraction of both pectin and phenolic compounds were 80 °C, ultrasonic frequency 60 kHz, solid/liquid ratio 1:20, using pH 2 or 12 in the case of pectin or polyphenols, respectively. Direct Analysis in Real Time Mass Spectrometry (DART-MS) and Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy–Attenuated Total Reflectance (FTIR-ATR) analyses were performed to evaluate the chemical profile of the extracts and pectin. The recycling of coffee husk waste into bioproducts in view of the circular economy contributes to minimizing the impact on the environment and to generating additional income for coffee growers. Full article

By integrating waste valorization with green extraction, in the current study, the impacts of distinct extraction methods on the extraction yield, structural characterization, in vitro antioxidant abilities and in vitro immunomodulatory activity of polysaccharides from Pholiota nameko residue (PNRP) were determined, providing assistance for the resource utilization of Pholiota nameko. Six PNRPs were obtained by hot water extraction, ultrasonic-assisted extraction, acid-assisted extraction, base-assisted extraction, acid–base extraction and hot water–alkaline-assisted extraction, named PNRP-HWE, PNRP-UAE, PNRP-AE, PNRP-BE, PNAP-ABE and PNRP-HAE, respectively. PNRPs were heteropolysaccharides with similar functional groups, abundant branched chains and a triple helix conformation, but varied monosaccharide molar ratios and molecular weights (382.6–601.7 kDa). PNRP-HAE exhibited the highest yield (3.92%) and superior antioxidant activities, including DPPH, ABTS and hydroxyl radical scavenging capacities, attributed to its low molecular weight and high xylose content. Additionally, PNRP-HAE and PNRP-UAE demonstrated potent immunomodulatory effects by enhancing macrophage phagocytosis and cytokine secretion (NO, IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α). These findings highlight HAE as an optimal method for extracting high-quality PNRPs, offering a sustainable strategy for valorizing mushroom residue in functional foods and nutraceuticals. Full article

Fusarium head blight (FHB), a globally significant agricultural disaster, causes annual losses of dozens of millions of tons of wheat toxins produced by FHB, such as deoxyroscyliaceol, further pose serious threats to human and livestock health. Consequently, rapid and non-destructive determination of FHB severity is crucial for implementing timely and precise scientific control measures, thereby ensuring wheat supply security. Therefore, this study adopts hyperspectral imaging (HSI) combined with a lightweight deep learning model. Firstly, the wheat ears were inoculated with Fusarium fungi at the spike’s midpoint, and HSI data were acquired, yielding 1660 samples representing varying disease severities. Through the integration of multiplicative scatter correction (MSC) and uninformative variable elimination (UVE) methods, features are extracted from spectral data in a manner that optimizes the reduction of feature dimensionality while preserving elevated classification accuracy. Finally, a lightweight FHB severity discrimination model based on MobileNetV2 was developed and deployed as an easy-to-use analysis system. Analysis revealed that UVE-selected characteristic bands for FHB severity predominantly fell within 590–680 nm (chlorophyll degradation related), 930–1043 nm (water stress related) and 738 nm (cell wall polysaccharide decomposition related). This distribution aligns with the synergistic effect of rapid chlorophyll degradation and structural damage accompanying disease progression. The resulting MobileNetV2 model achieved a mean average precision (mAP) of 99.93% on the training set and 98.26% on the independent test set. Crucially, it maintains an 8.50 MB parameter size, it processes data 2.36 times faster, significantly enhancing its suitability for field-deployed equipment by optimally balancing accuracy and operational efficiency. This advancement empowers agricultural workers to implement timely control measures, dramatically improving precision alongside optimized field deployment. Full article

Single-factor and orthogonal experiments were conducted to investigate the biological characteristics of Dichomitus squalens strains isolated from wild fruiting bodies collected in Tekes County, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Building upon the optimal mycelial culture conditions identified, domestication cultivation studies were performed, including experiments to induce fruiting body formation. Liquid strains were inoculated into substrates to monitor developmental stages from primordia formation to mature fruiting bodies, with macroscopic characteristics recorded throughout the cultivation process. Crude polysaccharides were extracted from the cultivated fruiting bodies using the water extraction and ethanol precipitation method. The scavenging rates of these polysaccharides against hydroxyl radicals (OH⁻) and superoxide anion radicals (O₂⁻) were measured to evaluate their in vitro antioxidant activity. Results demonstrated that the optimal growth conditions for D. squalens were as follows: sucrose as the preferred carbon source, yeast extract powder as the optimal nitrogen source, a pH of 5.0, and a temperature of 30 °C. Among these factors, pH exerted the most significant influence on the mycelial growth rate, followed by nitrogen source, carbon source, and temperature. Mature fruiting bodies developed approximately 57 days after inoculation with liquid strains. The crude polysaccharide extraction yield from the cultivated fruiting bodies reached 7.07%, with a total polysaccharide content of 24.69% in the extract. The crude polysaccharides exhibited potent radical scavenging activity: at a concentration of 5.0 mg/mL, the hydroxyl radical scavenging rate was 56.74%, while the superoxide anion radical scavenging rate reached 78.3%. These findings indicate that D. squalens possesses significant antioxidant potential. Full article

Arabinoxylan is a polysaccharide with film-forming properties, present in corn fiber, and a low-value by-product. The extract has a deep brown color, producing films of the same shade, which may not be appealing. This study addresses, for the first time, the adsorption of colored compounds present in an arabinoxylan extract using resin MN102. The resin successfully adsorbed the colored compounds from the arabinoxylan extract. After four consecutive adsorption/desorption cycles, the efficiency of the resin was similar, only decreasing from 63.3% to 52.9%. Langmuir and Freundlich models were fitted to the results of adsorption isotherm experiments, with the Freundlich model demonstrating the best fit to the experimental results. A fixed-bed column loaded with the resin was used for the removal of the colored compounds from the arabinoxylan extract, and the effect of the volumetric flow rate was investigated. The Yan and log-Gompertz models showed the best fit to the experimental breakthrough curves. This study systematically evaluated the adsorption conditions, providing a comprehensive analysis of the performance of the resin in the removal of the colored compounds. Additionally, the ability of the extract to maintain its film-forming properties after decolorization was evaluated, and some of the film’s key characteristics were evaluated, namely its color, solubility in water and mechanical properties. Full article

The white button mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) is a widely cultivated edible and medicinal mushroom, which contains various active substances, and has application value against pathogenic bacteria in aquaculture. Firstly, A. bisporus water extract (AB-WE) was prepared. Through the detection kits, it was found that the polysaccharide, protein, and polyphenol components of AB-WE were 9.11%, 3.3%, and 1.5%, respectively. The 246 compounds were identified in AB-WE, and the major small-molecule components included L-Isoleucine, L-Tyrosine, L-Valine, and Linoleic acid by HPLC-Q Exactive-Orbitrap-MS. Secondly, the AB-WE was evaluated for its immunological activities through dietary administration and pathogen challenge (Aeromonas hydrophila and Vibrio fluvialis) in goldfish (Carassius auratus). The results showed that the levels of immune factors of acid phosphatase (ACP), alkaline phosphatase (AKP), and lysozyme (LZM) increased (p < 0.05) in goldfish, and the relative percentage survival of AB-WE against A. hydrophila and V. fluvialis were 80.00% (p < 0.05) and 81.82% (p < 0.05), respectively. The AB-WE reduced the bacterial content in renal tissue, enhanced the phagocytic activity of leukocytes, and exhibited antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects by reducing the expression of antioxidant-related factors and inflammatory factors. Through histopathological and immunofluorescence techniques, it was found that AB-WE maintained the integrity of visceral tissues and reduced renal tissue apoptosis and DNA damage. Therefore, AB-WE exhibits immunoprotective activity against A. hydrophila and V. fluvialis infections in fish, and holds promise as an immunotherapeutic agent against major pathogenic bacteria in aquaculture. Full article

The aim of the research was to analyse the effect of different extraction temperatures on the colligative, hydrodynamic, and rheological properties of a water-soluble AXs fractions. The research material consisted of raw water extracts of arabinoxylans obtained from the husk at the following temperatures: 40 °C (AX40), 60 °C (AX60), 80 °C (AX80), and 100 °C (AX100). These were characterised in terms of their hydrodynamic, osmotic, and rheological properties, as well as the average molecular mass of the polysaccharide fractions. An increase in extraction temperature resulted in an increase in weight-average molecular mass, from 2190 kDa (AX40) to 3320 kDa (AX100). The values of the osmotic average molecular mass were higher than those obtained from GPC, and decreased with increasing extraction temperature. The dominance of biopolymer–biopolymer interactions was evident in the shape of the autocorrelation function, which did not disappear as the extraction temperature and concentration increased. Furthermore, the values of the second virial coefficient were negative, which is indicative of the tendency of biopolymer chains to aggregate. The rheological properties of the extracts changed from being described by a power-law model (AX40 and AX60) to being described by the full non-linear De Kee model (AX80 and AX100). Full article

This study explored the extraction, characterization, and biological properties of polysaccharides derived from Spirulina (Limnospira platensis), a microalga known for its rich nutritional benefits. Polysaccharides were successfully isolated and characterized using optimized biorefinery water extraction techniques to detail their structural and functional characteristics. Results revealed notable antioxidant activity and effective α-glucosidase inhibition, indicating potential health benefits. X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis was conducted to assess the elemental composition, offering insights into the mineral contents of the polysaccharides. Our findings underscore the promising applications of polysaccharides from Limnospira platensis as functional ingredients in health-related fields, advocating the need for further research into their mechanisms of action and therapeutic applications. Full article

Decoctions of stem barks from Aucoumea klaineana, Canarium schweinfurthii, Pentadesma butyracea and Scorodophloeus zenkeri are used against affections of irritable bowel syndrome in Gabonese traditional medicine. In the present study, we aim to determine whether the bark polysaccharides may contribute to the activity of these plants against the symptoms of gastrointestinal disorders. To this end, we investigated the structure and the pharmacological activity of polysaccharides extracted from their stem barks. The pectic and hemicellulose polysaccharides were isolated, and their sugar compositions were determined by gas chromatography. In addition, analysis by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry of oligosaccharides released after digestion with an endo-xylanase indicated that glucuronoarabinoxylans are the main hemicellulose of stem barks. We then evaluated the influence of the polysaccharide fractions on the spontaneous contractile activity of rat ileal smooth muscle and the cholinergic system. Spasmolytic activity of pectic fractions from all stem barks, as well as lemon polygalacturonic acid, were observed, indicating that these extracts exhibit a myorelaxant activity. In contrast, the bark hemicellulose fractions, as well as commercially available beechwood glucuronoxylan and wheat arabinoxylan, were demonstrated to be able to increase the basal contractile activity of smooth muscle. These data show that, beyond physicochemical effects affecting the bowel water content, plant polysaccharides have also an impact on the spontaneous smooth muscle contractility, the main mechanism involved in the pathophysiology of gastrointestinal disorders. Full article

Pectin is a multifunctional polysaccharide whose structural attributes, including degree of esterification (DE), molecular weight (MW), and branching, directly affect its gelling, emulsifying, and bioactive properties. Conventional pectin extraction relies on acid- or alkali-based methods that degrade the pectin structure, generate chemical waste, and alter its physicochemical and functional properties. Although novel methods such as ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), and enzyme-assisted extraction (EAE) are recognized as environmentally friendly alternatives, they frequently use acids or alkalis as solvents. This review focuses on pectin extraction methods that do not involve acidic or alkaline solvents such as chelating agents, super/subcritical water, and deep eutectic solvents (DESs) composed of neutral components. This review also discusses how these alternative extraction methods can preserve or modify the key structural features of pectin, thereby influencing its monosaccharide composition, molecular conformation, and interactions with other biopolymers. Furthermore, the influence of these structural variations on the rheological properties, gelling behaviors, and potential applications of pectin in the food, pharmaceutical, and biomedical fields are discussed. This review provides insights into alternative strategies for obtaining structurally intact and functionally diverse pectin by examining the relationship between the extraction conditions and pectin functionality. Full article

The demand for plant-based fermented beverages is being driven by dietary restrictions, health concerns, and environmental concerns. However, the use of plant substrates, such as oats, presents challenges in terms of fermentation and texture formation. The effects of enzymatic hydrolysis, homogenization and the addition of 1% pectin on oat-based beverages fermented with Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus were evaluated in this study. The samples were evaluated for a number of characteristics, including physicochemical, rheological, antioxidant and sensory properties. After 6 h fermentation, pectin-containing samples showed a statistically significant decrease in pH (to 3.91) and an increase in titratable acidity (to 92 °T). Homogenization and the addition of pectin were found to significantly increase viscosity (by 1.5–2 times) and water-holding capacity (by 2 times) while reducing syneresis by 96%. The antioxidant activity of L. bulgaricus-fermented samples increased significantly: the radical scavenging activity (RSA) and OH-radical inhibition increased by 40–60%, depending on the treatment. Extractable polysaccharides (PSs) inhibited lipase and glucosidase by 90% and 85%, respectively; significantly higher inhibition was observed in the fermented and pectin-containing groups. Sensory evaluation showed that the homogenized, pectin-enriched samples (Homog+) scored highest for consistency (4.5 ± 0.2), texture (4.9 ± 0.2), and overall acceptability (4.8 ± 0.2); these scores were all statistically higher than those for the untreated samples. These results suggest that combining enzymatic hydrolysis, homogenization and fermentation with L. bulgaricus significantly improves the structural, functional and sensory properties of oat-based beverages, providing a promising approach to producing high-quality, functional non-dairy products. Full article

In this study, the ultrasonic-assisted extraction of deep eutectic solvents (UADES) for tea polysaccharides was optimized, and their physicochemical properties and antioxidant activities were analyzed. The optimal DES comprised choline chloride (CC) and ethylene glycol (EG) in a molar ratio of 1:3, with a water content of 40%. The optimized condition was an extraction temperature of 61 °C, an ultrasonic power of 480 W, and an extraction time of 60 min. The UADES extraction rate of polysaccharides (ERP) was 15.89 ± 0.13%, significantly exceeding that of hot water (HW) extraction. The polysaccharide content in the UADES-extracted tea polysaccharides (UADESTPs) was comparable to that of hot-water-extracted tea polysaccharides (HWTPs) (75.47 ± 1.35% vs. 74.08 ± 2.51%); the UADESTPs contained more uronic acid (8.35 ± 0.26%) and less protein (12.91%) than HWTP. Most of the UADESTPs (88.87%) had molecular weights (Mw) below 1.80 × 10³ Da. The UADESTPs contained trehalose, glucuronic acid, galactose, xylose, and glucose, with molar ratios of 8:16:1:10. The free radical scavenging rate and total reducing power of the UADESTPs were markedly superior to those of the HWTPs. Moreover, the UADESTPs had a better alleviating effect on H₂O₂-induced oxidative injury in HepG2 cells. This study develops an eco-friendly and efficient extraction method for tea polysaccharides, offering new insights for the development of tea polysaccharides. Full article

Ultraviolet B (UVB) irradiation drives skin photodamage, prompting exploration of natural therapeutics. This study investigated the reparative effects and mechanisms of crude Gastrodia elata polysaccharides (GP) on UVB-induced acute skin damage. GP was extracted from fresh G. elata via water extraction and alcohol precipitation. It is a homogeneous polysaccharide with a weight-average molecular weight of 808.863 kDa, comprising Ara, Glc, Fru, and GalA. Histopathological analysis revealed that topical application of GP on the dorsal skin of mice effectively restored normal physiological structure, suppressing epidermal hyperplasia and collagen degradation. Biochemical assays showed that GP significantly reduced the activities of MPO and MDA following UVB exposure while restoring the enzymatic activities of SOD and GSH, thereby mitigating oxidative stress. Moreover, GP treatment markedly upregulated the anti-inflammatory cytokines TGF-β and IL-10 and downregulated the pro-inflammatory mediators IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α, suggesting robust anti-inflammatory effects. Transcriptomics revealed dual-phase mechanisms: Early repair (day 5) involved GP-mediated suppression of hyper inflammation and accelerated necrotic tissue clearance via pathway network modulation. Late phase (day 18) featured enhanced anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and tissue regeneration processes through energy-sufficient, low-inflammatory pathway networks. Through a synergistic response involving antioxidation, anti-inflammation, promotion of collagen synthesis, and acceleration of skin barrier repair, GP achieves comprehensive repair of UVB-induced acute skin damage. Our findings not only establish GP as a potent natural alternative to synthetic photoprotective agents but also reveal novel pathway network interactions governing polysaccharide-mediated skin regeneration. Full article