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2 pages, 162 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Research Advances of Modification and Nutraceutical Properties of Polysaccharide

by Shuang Song and Chunqing Ai

Foods 2023, 12(16), 3065; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods12163065 - 15 Aug 2023

Viewed by 1070

Abstract

As a group of important biopolymers, polysaccharides exist widely in living organisms and play many known and unknown biological roles in life activities via different pathways [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research Advances of Modification and Nutraceutical Properties of Polysaccharide)

Research

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23 pages, 14529 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Antioxidant Activities and Cytotoxicity of the Regulated Calcium Oxalate Crystals on HK-2 Cells of Polysaccharides from Gracilaria lemaneiformis with Different Molecular Weights

by Jing-Hong Liu, Yu-Yun Zheng and Jian-Ming Ouyang

Foods 2023, 12(5), 1031; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods12051031 - 28 Feb 2023

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1947

Abstract

The antioxidant activities of seven degraded products (GLPs) with different molecular weights (M_w) of polysaccharides from Gracilaria lemaneiformis were compared. The M_w of GLP1–GLP7 were 106, 49.6, 10.5, 6.14, 5.06, 3.71 and 2.42 kDa, respectively. The results show that [...] Read more.

The antioxidant activities of seven degraded products (GLPs) with different molecular weights (M_w) of polysaccharides from Gracilaria lemaneiformis were compared. The M_w of GLP1–GLP7 were 106, 49.6, 10.5, 6.14, 5.06, 3.71 and 2.42 kDa, respectively. The results show that GLP2 with M_w = 49.6 kDa had the strongest scavenging capacity for hydroxyl radical, DPPH radical, ABTS radical and reducing power. When M_w < 49.6 kDa, the antioxidant activity of GLPs increased with the increase in M_w, but when M_w increased to 106 kDa, their antioxidant activity decreased. However, the ability of GLPs to chelate Fe²⁺ ions increased with the decrease in polysaccharide M_w, which was attributed to the fact that the polysaccharide active groups (–OSO₃^– and –COOH) were easier to expose, and the steric hindrance was smaller when GLPs chelated with Fe²⁺. The effects of GLP1, GLP3, GLP5 and GLP7 on the crystal growth of calcium oxalate (CaOx) were studied using XRD, FT-IR, Zeta potential and thermogravimetric analysis. Four kinds of GLPs could inhibit the growth of calcium oxalate monohydrate (COM) and induce the formation of calcium oxalate dihydrate (COD) in varying degrees. With the decrease in M_w of GLPs, the percentage of COD increased. GLPs increased the absolute value of the Zeta potential on the crystal surface and reduced the aggregation between crystals. Cell experiments showed that the toxicity of CaOx crystal regulated by GLPs to HK-2 cells was reduced, and the cytotoxicity of CaOx crystal regulated by GLP7 with the smallest M_w was the smallest, which was consistent with the highest SOD activity, the lowest ROS and MDA levels, the lowest OPN expression level and the lowest cell necrosis rate. These results suggest that GLPs, especially GLP7, may be a potential drug for the prevention and treatment of kidney stones. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research Advances of Modification and Nutraceutical Properties of Polysaccharide)

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17 pages, 7916 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Physical Properties of Konjac Glucomannan on Appetite Response of Rats

by Chenfeng Xu, Chao Yu, Siqi Yang, Lingli Deng, Chi Zhang, Jiqian Xiang and Longchen Shang

Foods 2023, 12(4), 743; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods12040743 - 8 Feb 2023

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3705

Abstract

Dietary fiber has been widely used in designing foods with a high satiating capacity, as the use of satiety-enhancing food is considered to be a promising strategy for combating obesity and the overweight condition. In the present study, partially degraded konjac glucomannan (DKGM) [...] Read more.

Dietary fiber has been widely used in designing foods with a high satiating capacity, as the use of satiety-enhancing food is considered to be a promising strategy for combating obesity and the overweight condition. In the present study, partially degraded konjac glucomannan (DKGM) diets with different water-holding capacities, swelling capacities, and viscosities were used to feed rats to investigate the effects of the fiber’s physical properties in regulating the appetite response of the animals. The results showed that the mass and water content of the gastrointestinal chyme increased as the diet’s physical properties were enhanced by the DKGM, which increased the stomach distention of the rats and promoted satiation. Besides, the hydrated DKGM elevated the chyme’s viscosity, and the retention time of the digesta in the small intestine was prolonged significantly, which resulted in an increased concentration of cholecystokinin-8, glucagon-like peptide 1, and peptide tyrosine-tyrosine in the plasma, thus helping to maintain the satiety of rats. Furthermore, the results of the behavioral satiety sequence and meal pattern analysis showed that DKGM in the diets is more likely to reduce the food intake of rats by enhancing satiety rather than satiation, and will finally inhibit excessive weight gain. In conclusion, the physical properties of dietary fiber are highly related to the appetite response, which is a powerful tool in designing food with a high satiating capacity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research Advances of Modification and Nutraceutical Properties of Polysaccharide)

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17 pages, 1742 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Monosaccharide Composition and In Vitro Activity to HCT-116 Cells of Purslane Polysaccharides after a Covalent Chemical Selenylation

by Ling-Yu Li, Qing-Yun Guan, Ya-Ru Lin, Jun-Ren Zhao, Li Wang, Qiang Zhang, Hong-Fang Liu and Xin-Huai Zhao

Foods 2022, 11(23), 3748; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods11233748 - 22 Nov 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1841

Abstract

The anti-cancer effects of selenylated plant polysaccharides are a focus of research. As a natural plant with extensive biological effects, there have been few studies related to edible purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.). Thus, in this study, soluble P. oleracea polysaccharides (PPS) were [...] Read more.

The anti-cancer effects of selenylated plant polysaccharides are a focus of research. As a natural plant with extensive biological effects, there have been few studies related to edible purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.). Thus, in this study, soluble P. oleracea polysaccharides (PPS) were extracted from the dried P. oleracea and then selenylated chemically using the HNO₃-Na₂SeO₃ method to obtain two selenylated products, namely, SePPS1 and SePPS2. Compared with the extracted PPS, SePPS1 and SePPS2 had much higher Se contents (840.3 and 1770.5 versus 66.0 mg/kg) while also showing lower contents in three saccharides—arabinose, fucose, and ribose—and higher contents in seven saccharides including galactose, glucose, fructose, mannose, rhamnose, galacturonic acid, and glucuronic acid, but a stable xylose content demonstrated that the performed chemical selenylation of PPS led to changes in monosaccharide composition. Moreover, SePPS1 and SePPS2 shared similar features with respect to monosaccharide composition and possessed higher bioactivity than PPS in human colon cancer HCT-116 cells. Generally, SePPS1 and SePPS2 were more active than PPS with respect to cell growth inhibition, the alteration of cell morphology, disruption of mitochondrial membrane potential, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, the induction of cell apoptosis, and upregulation or downregulation of five apoptosis-related genes and proteins such as Bax, Bcl-2, caspases-3/-9, and cytochrome C, that cause cell apoptosis and growth suppression via the ROS-mediated mitochondrial pathway. SePPS2 consistently showed the highest capacity to exert these observed effects on the targeted cells, suggesting that the performed chemical selenylation of PPS (in particular when higher degrees of selenylation are reached) resulted in an increase in activity in the cells. It can thus be concluded that the performed selenylation of PPS was able to incorporate inorganic Se into the final PPS products, changing their monosaccharide composition and endowing them with enhanced nutraceutical and anti-cancer effects in the colon. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research Advances of Modification and Nutraceutical Properties of Polysaccharide)

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16 pages, 2505 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Structural Characterization and Hypoglycemic Activity of a Novel Pumpkin Peel Polysaccharide-Chromium(III) Complex

by Wen Zhang, Lingyu Li, Yue Ma, Xiaole Chen, Tao Lan, Long Chen and Zhenjia Zheng

Foods 2022, 11(13), 1821; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods11131821 - 21 Jun 2022

Cited by 18 | Viewed by 2572

Abstract

The aim of our study was to synthesize a pumpkin peel polysaccharide (PPP)-Cr(III) complex and investigate its hypoglycemic activity. Firstly, a novel PPP-Cr(III) complex with a Cr content of 23.77 mg/g was synthesized and characterized. Physicochemical characterization indicated that PPP-Cr(III) had some changes [...] Read more.

The aim of our study was to synthesize a pumpkin peel polysaccharide (PPP)-Cr(III) complex and investigate its hypoglycemic activity. Firstly, a novel PPP-Cr(III) complex with a Cr content of 23.77 mg/g was synthesized and characterized. Physicochemical characterization indicated that PPP-Cr(III) had some changes in chemical composition, monosaccharide composition, and morphological structure compared with PPP. The molecular weights of PPP-Cr(III) and PPP were 1.398 × 10⁶ g/mol and 3.386 × 10⁶ g/mol, respectively, showing a lower molecular weight after the introduction of Cr(III). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy showed that a new characteristic absorption peak of Cr-O appeared at 534 cm⁻¹ in PPP-Cr(III), indicating that Cr(III) was successfully complexed with PPP. Secondly, the hypoglycemic activity of PPP-Cr(III) based on α-glucosidase inhibitory and insulin resistance (IR)-HepG2 cells was evaluated. Compared with PPP, PPP-Cr(III) exhibited a more significantly α-glucosidase inhibitory activity. The IR-HepG2 cells confirmed an obvious increase in glucose consumption. Western blot analysis demonstrated that the treated IR-HepG2 cells were able to increase the protein levels of p-AMPK and p-GSK-3β, indicating that IR-HepG2 cells exerted hypoglycemic activity via the AMPK/GSK-3β signaling pathway. These results suggested that PPP-Cr(III) had good hypoglycemic activity, which could provide theoretical support for the development of novel hypoglycemic products. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research Advances of Modification and Nutraceutical Properties of Polysaccharide)

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17 pages, 2414 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Functional Properties and Preservative Effect of P-Hydroxybenzoic Acid Grafted Chitosan Films on Fresh-Cut Jackfruit

by Zhiguo Jiang, Jiaolong Wang, Dong Xiang and Zhengke Zhang

Foods 2022, 11(9), 1360; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods11091360 - 7 May 2022

Cited by 18 | Viewed by 2937

Abstract

In the present study, p-hydroxybenzoic acid-grafted chitosan (PA-g-CS) conjugates with different grafting degrees were synthesized by a free radical-regulated grafting approach. The conjugates were further developed into films by casting, and their characteristics and preservative effects on fresh-cut jackfruit were evaluated. Compared to [...] Read more.

In the present study, p-hydroxybenzoic acid-grafted chitosan (PA-g-CS) conjugates with different grafting degrees were synthesized by a free radical-regulated grafting approach. The conjugates were further developed into films by casting, and their characteristics and preservative effects on fresh-cut jackfruit were evaluated. Compared to the CS film, the PA-g-CS film showed comprehensive performance improvements, including enhancements of water solubility, anti-ultraviolet capacity, antioxidation, and antibacterial activity. Moreover, compared with CS film, some appreciable and favorable changes of physical properties were observed in the PA-g-CS films, which included water vapor permeability, oxygen permeability, surface morphology, moisture content, and mechanical intensity. Furthermore, compared to CS alone, the application of PA-g-CS films to fresh-cut jackfruit exerted a beneficial effect on the quality of products, as indicated by the inhibition of weight loss, softening, and membrane damage, the maintenance of soluble solids and ascorbic acids contents, as well as a reduced bacterial count and a higher sensory score. Among these PA-g-CS films, the best preservation effect was achieved with the highest degree of grafting (PA-g-CS III). The results suggested that the PA-g-CS film has the potential to be explored as a new type of packaging material for the preservation of fresh-cut fruits and vegetables. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research Advances of Modification and Nutraceutical Properties of Polysaccharide)

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12 pages, 3106 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Preparation of Low-Molecular-Weight Fucoidan with Anticoagulant Activity by Photocatalytic Degradation Method

by Yihui Qi, Lilong Wang, Ying You, Xiaona Sun, Chengrong Wen, Yinghuan Fu and Shuang Song

Foods 2022, 11(6), 822; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods11060822 - 13 Mar 2022

Cited by 31 | Viewed by 3646

Abstract

It is a challenge to degrade sulfated polysaccharides without stripping sulfate groups. In the present study, a photocatalytic method was applied to degrade fucoidan, a sulfated polysaccharide from brown algae. The degradation with varying addition amounts of H₂O₂ and TiO [...] Read more.

It is a challenge to degrade sulfated polysaccharides without stripping sulfate groups. In the present study, a photocatalytic method was applied to degrade fucoidan, a sulfated polysaccharide from brown algae. The degradation with varying addition amounts of H₂O₂ and TiO₂ were monitored by high performance gel permeation chromatography (HPGPC) and thin layer chromatography (TLC), and fucoidan was efficiently degraded with 5% TiO₂ and 0.95% H₂O₂. A comparison of the chemical compositions of 2 products obtained after 0.5 h and 3 h illumination, DF-0.5 (average Mw 90 kDa) and DF-3 (average Mw 3 kDa), respectively, with those of fucoidan indicates the photocatalytic degradation did not strip the sulfate groups, but reduced the galactose/fucose ratio. Moreover, 12 oligosaccharides in DF-3 were identified by HPLC-ESI-MSⁿ and 10 of them were sulfated. In addition, DF-0.5 showed anticoagulant activity as strong as fucoidan while DF-3 could specifically prolong the activated partial thromboplastin time. All samples exerted inhibition effects on the intrinsic pathway FXII in a dose-dependent manner. Thus, photocatalytic degradation demonstrated the potential to prepare sulfated low-molecular-weight fucoidan with anticoagulant activity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research Advances of Modification and Nutraceutical Properties of Polysaccharide)

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Review

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33 pages, 868 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceReview

The Preparation and Potential Bioactivities of Modified Pectins: A Review

by Xu Jiao, Fei Li, Jing Zhao, Yunlu Wei, Luyao Zhang, Wenjun Yu and Quanhong Li

Foods 2023, 12(5), 1016; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods12051016 - 27 Feb 2023

Cited by 18 | Viewed by 4200

Abstract

Pectins are complex polysaccharides that are widely found in plant cells and have a variety of bioactivities. However, the high molecular weights (M_w) and complex structures of natural pectins mean that they are difficult for organisms to absorb and utilize, limiting [...] Read more.

Pectins are complex polysaccharides that are widely found in plant cells and have a variety of bioactivities. However, the high molecular weights (M_w) and complex structures of natural pectins mean that they are difficult for organisms to absorb and utilize, limiting their beneficial effects. The modification of pectins is considered to be an effective method for improving the structural characteristics and promoting the bioactivities of pectins, and even adding new bioactivities to natural pectins. This article reviews the modification methods, including chemical, physical, and enzymatic methods, for natural pectins from the perspective of their basic information, influencing factors, and product identification. Furthermore, the changes caused by modifications to the bioactivities of pectins are elucidated, including their anti-coagulant, anti-oxidant, anti-tumor, immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, hypoglycemic, and anti-bacterial activities and the ability to regulate the intestinal environment. Finally, suggestions and perspectives regarding the development of pectin modification are provided. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research Advances of Modification and Nutraceutical Properties of Polysaccharide)

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28 pages, 2278 KiB

Open AccessReview

Effects of Lycium barbarum Polysaccharides on Immunity and Metabolic Syndrome Associated with the Modulation of Gut Microbiota: A Review

by Cui Cao, Zhongfu Wang, Guiping Gong, Wenqi Huang, Linjuan Huang, Shuang Song and Beiwei Zhu

Foods 2022, 11(20), 3177; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods11203177 - 12 Oct 2022

Cited by 21 | Viewed by 4093

Abstract

Lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBPs) have attracted increasing attention due to their multiple pharmacological activities and physiological functions. Recently, both in vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated that the biological effects of dietary LBPs are related to the regulation of gut microbiota. Supplementation [...] Read more.

Lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBPs) have attracted increasing attention due to their multiple pharmacological activities and physiological functions. Recently, both in vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated that the biological effects of dietary LBPs are related to the regulation of gut microbiota. Supplementation with LBPs could modulate the composition of microbial communities, and simultaneously influence the levels of active metabolites, thus exerting their beneficial effects on host health. Interestingly, LBPs with diverse chemical structures may enrich or reduce certain specific intestinal microbes. The present review summarizes the extraction, purification, and structural types of LBPs and the regulation effects of LBPs on the gut microbiome and their derived metabolites. Furthermore, the health promoting effects of LBPs on host bidirectional immunity (e.g., immune enhancement and immune inflammation suppression) and metabolic syndrome (e.g., obesity, type 2 diabetes, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease) by targeting gut microbiota are also discussed based on their structural types. The contents presented in this review might help to better understand the health benefits of LBPs targeting gut microbiota and provide a scientific basis to further clarify the structure–function relationship of LBPs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research Advances of Modification and Nutraceutical Properties of Polysaccharide)

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