Characterization, functional and biological properties of degraded polysaccharides from Hylocereus undatu s flowers

Abstract

The present study aimed at investigating the chemical degradation of the polysaccharide (designated as FHRP) isolated from the flowers of Hylocereus undatus (Haw.) Britton et Rose. Two degraded polysaccharides, designated as DFHRP‐1 and DFHRR‐2, were obtained from FHRP by using the Fe2+‐H2O2 degradation method. Physicochemical characterization showed that Fe2+‐H2O2 degradation could effectively decrease the molecular weight of FHRP, but did not significantly change chemical composition and monosaccharide composition. The functional assays indicated that DFHRP‐1 and DFHRR‐2 showed better oil‐holding, but weaker water‐holding and emulsifying capacities than FHRP. The results of bioactivity assays indicated that DFHRP‐1 and DFHRR‐2 exhibited better antioxidant, hypoglycemic, and immunostimulatory activities than FHRP. The functional and biological properties of the degraded polysaccharides from H. undatus flowers were greatly determined by its molecular weight. Overall, DFHRP‐1 and DFHRP‐2 might have potential applications as multi‐functional additives in foods, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. Practical applications It has been reported that degraded polysaccharides exhibited better water solubility, functional, and biological properties than native polysaccharide. In the present study, the degraded polysaccharides were obtained from the flowers of H. undatus by using the Fe2+‐H2O2 degradation method to modify its functional and biological properties. The results will provide valuable information for application of the degraded polysaccharides in the food industry.

Physicochemical Characterization of an Exopolysaccharide Produced by Lipomyces sp. and Investigation of Rheological and Interfacial Behavior

“…WHC is an important functional indicator, which can reflect the amount of water absorbed and held by the hydrated samples [44]. As shown in Figure 3h, the WHC of LSEP was 2.10 g/g.…”

“…The OHC of LSEP was measured according to the methods reported by Zhao et al [44]. Briefly, 0.1 g of LSEP was mixed with 10 mL of medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) in a 25 mL tube.…”

The effect of structure and preparation method on the bioactivity of polysaccharides from plants and fungi

“…During H 2 O 2 decolorization, H 2 O 2 hydrolyzes into H + and HO 2 − in solution, with the HO 2 − then oxidizing the chromophore or chromogen of the pigment molecule to achieve decolorization. 139 However, too high a concentration of H 2 O 2 may result in degradation of the polysaccharides. Macroporous resin adsorption can be used to simultaneously remove proteins and pigments from polysaccharides.…”

Degradation Mechanisms of Six Typical Glucosidic Bonds of Disaccharides Induced by Free Radicals

“…The well-known approach employing hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 , a strong oxidant) has been increasingly applied to degrade various polysaccharides, due to its strong oxidation ability and environmental-friendly characteristics. − Several highly reactive free radicals, such as hydroxyl radical ( • OH), singlet oxygen ( 1 O 2 ), and superoxide radical (O 2 •– ), are capable of degrading polysaccharides and can be activated by various treatments, including metal ions, ascorbic acid, ultrasound, microwave, solution plasma, and ultraviolet (UV) radiation . Furthermore, many studies have reported that free radical-induced structural changes in degraded polysaccharides can efficiently improve their bioactivities, such as the antioxidant activities of degraded Tremella fuciformis, Porphyra yezoensis, Codium cylindricum, and Auricularia auricula polysaccharides; the anti-inflammatory activities of degraded pectin and Hylocereus undatus polysaccharides; ,, the antitumor activities of degraded pectin and glycosaminoglycan polysaccharides; , the probiotic activity of degraded pectin polysaccharide; and the hypoglycemic activity of degraded honeysuckle polysaccharide . Our previous studies confirmed that the degraded polysaccharides prepared from Sargassum fusiforme and Gracilaria lemaneiformis after UV/H 2 O 2 treatment could significantly inhibit the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and the expression of related genes. ,− Moreover, it has been reported that vacuolar sugars and sugar-like compounds in plants, including hexoses, sucrose, fructans, and raffinose, can directly scavenge the • OH and • O 2 H radicals produced in cellular membranes .…”