Structural Properties, Bioactivities, and Applications of Polysaccharides from Okra [Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench]: A Review

Abstract

Okra [Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench], as a kind of nutritive vegetable, is rich in flavonoids, polyphenols, polysaccharides, amino acids, and other bioactive substances and has various biological activities. As one of main bioactive components, okra polysaccharides (OPs), mainly comprising pectic polysaccharides, have various biological activities. OPs have been extensively investigated in recent years. Many studies characterized structures of OPs obtained by different extraction methods, which were confirmed to be rhamnogalacturonan-I-type polysaccharides in most cases. OPs have a thick and slimy texture, suggesting that they can be a promising source of texture modifiers for complex food matrices. They have various biological activities, such as antioxidant activity, immunomodulatory activity, hypoglycaemic activity, and improving intestinal function. Therefore, OPs may potentially serve as novel immunomodulators or an adjuvant for diabetic nephropathy. Up to now, there is no specific summary on the research progress of OPs. In this paper, the latest research progress on the extraction, purification, characterization, rheological properties, biological activities, and applications of OPs is reviewed, to provide the reference for the processing and comprehensive utilization of OPs in the future.

Development and Characterization of Novel Biopolymer Derived from Abelmoschus esculentus L. Extract and Its Antidiabetic Potential

“…Furthermore, the main bioactive component of okra mucilage is okra polysaccharide, which is reported to be comprising of pectic polysaccharides [10]. Meanwhile, the compositions of waterextractable polysaccharides were reported to be galacturonic acid, rhamnose, arabinose, xylose, mannose, galactose, glucose, xylan, starch, and uronic acid [11,12]. In addition, okra polysaccharides have been reported for their antioxidant activity, immunomodulatory activity, ability to improve metabolic disorders and intestinal function, hypoglycemic activity, and antifatigue activities.…”

“…In addition, okra polysaccharides have been reported for their antioxidant activity, immunomodulatory activity, ability to improve metabolic disorders and intestinal function, hypoglycemic activity, and antifatigue activities. Rhamnogalacturonan, a polysaccharide extracted from okra, has been reported to have an antidiabetic effect [11].…”

“…Okra polysaccharides have been seen as a promising bioactive component considering its future prospective in food and pharmaceutical purposes for the development of novel polymer [10,11,13,14]. Additionally, okra polysaccharides could also become a source for the development of antidiabetic biopolymer, since it is considered to be very economical, non-toxic, and biodegradable [6].…”

Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) as a Potential Functional Food Source of Mucilage and Bioactive Compounds with Technological Applications and Health Benefits

“…The bioactive potential of okra mucilage and its rheological characteristics have been the subject of several studies and reported in current bibliographic surveys [ 10 , 11 ]. However, the importance of okra as a low-cost functional food still deserves to be more underlined.…”

Multi-Targeted Molecular Docking, Pharmacokinetics, and Drug-Likeness Evaluation of Okra-Derived Ligand Abscisic Acid Targeting Signaling Proteins Involved in the Development of Diabetes

“…Okra has recently been recognized for its potential therapeutic purposes because of various important phytochemical constituents. Okra plant [ Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench] is a nutritive vegetable known by various names such as lady’s finger, green ginseng, and plant Viagra [ 6 ]. Presently, okra is used for its nutritional values and nutraceutical and therapeutic properties, owing to various important bioactive compounds and their associated therapeutic properties [ 7 ].…”