Characterization of Inulin-Type Fructan from Platycodon grandiflorus and Study on Its Prebiotic and Immunomodulating Activity

Abstract

Platycodon grandiflorus is a plant widely used in traditional Chinese medicine, of which polysaccharides are reported to be the main components responsible for its bio-functions. In this work, the inulin-type fructan (PGF) was obtained by DEAE anion exchange chromatography from the water extracted from P. grandifloras. Characterization was performed with methanolysis, methylation, and NMR and the results showed that PGF is a β-(2-1) linked fructan, with terminal glucose and with a degree of polymerization of 2–10. In order to study its biofunctions, the prebiotic and immunomodulation properties were assayed. We found that PGF exhibited good prebiotic activity, as shown by a promotion on six strains of lactobacillus proliferation. Additionally, the PGF also displayed direct immunomodulation on intestinal epithelial cells and stimulated the expressions of anti-inflammatory factors. These results indicated that the inulin from P. grandiflorus is a potential natural source of prebiotics as well as a potential intestinal immunomodulator, which will be valuable for further studies and new applications.

Characterization of inulin‐type fructans from two species of Radix Codonopsis and their oxidative defense activation and prebiotic activities

“…Among them, except for Lactobacillus johnsonii BS15 and L. johnsonii Hjg8, there were differences on the OD of bacteria between the CPPN and CTPN groups. This may be due to the deviations in structures of polysaccharides of different species of C. pilosula 60 . The result is in accordance with those of the antioxidant activity studies.…”

Supplementation with Chlorella vulgaris, Chlorella protothecoides, and Schizochytrium sp. increases propionate‐producing bacteria in in vitro human gut fermentation

“…In Fig. (A), inulin displayed significantly lower bioaccessibility, which was an expected finding as inulin is difficult to degrade in the upper intestine and reaches the distal colon . As compared to inulin, C. protothecoides exhibited significantly higher bioaccessibility, whereas, Schizochytrium sp.…”

Platycodon grandiflorumroots: A comprehensive study on odor/aroma and chemical properties during roasting

“…Platycodon grandiflorum is a perennial dicotyledonous plant with purple or white flowers and widely grown in Korea, Japan, China, and eastern Siberia (Jeong & Yoo, 2013). Roots of Platycodon grandiflorum , called Kilkyung , contain numerous bioactive components including saponin, flavonoids, polysaccharides, and amino acids as well as nutrients including calcium, fiber, iron, and vitamins, thereby being widely consumed as medicinal herbs in Asian countries (Pang et al., 2019). In oriental medicine, the roots have long been utilized as a remedy for immunocompromised people with respiratory complications including sore throat, cough, phlegm, and asthma.…”

“…Extracts of Platycodon grandiflorum seeds and roots showed insulin resistance in skeletal muscle cell model (Yoon, Bang, Kim, & Imm, 2018). Fructan, a polysaccharide isolated from Platycodon grandiflorum , exerted prebiotic and immunomodulatory effects in six lactobacillus strains and intestinal cells, respectively (Pang et al., 2019).…”