Molecules

Research

Jump to: Review

298 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Molecular Weight and Monosaccharide Composition of Astragalus Polysaccharides

by Du-Juan Xu, Quan Xia, Jia-Jia Wang and Pei-Pei Wang

Molecules 2008, 13(10), 2408-2415; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules13102408 - 1 Oct 2008

Cited by 60 | Viewed by 15901

Abstract

Two polysaccharides (APS-I and APS-II) were isolated from the water extract of Radix Astragali and purified through ethanol precipitation, deproteination and by ion-exchange and gel-filtration chromatography. Their molecular weight was determined using high performance liquid chromatography and gel permeation chromatography (HPLC-GPC) and their [...] Read more.

Two polysaccharides (APS-I and APS-II) were isolated from the water extract of Radix Astragali and purified through ethanol precipitation, deproteination and by ion-exchange and gel-filtration chromatography. Their molecular weight was determined using high performance liquid chromatography and gel permeation chromatography (HPLC-GPC) and their monosaccharide composition was analyzed by TLC and HPLC methods, using a refractive index detector (RID) and an NH₂ column. It was shown that APS-I consisted of arabinose and glucose and APS-II consisted of rhamnose, arabinose and glucose, in a molar ratio of 1:3.45 and 1:6.25:17.86, respectively. The molecular weights (Mw) of APS-I and APS-II were 1,699,100 Da and 1,197,600 Da, respectively. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polysaccharides: Organic Chemistry, Bioactivity and Analysis, including Those from Medicinal Plants and Fungi)

► Show Figures

Graphical abstract

481 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Structure Determination of β-Glucans from Ganoderma lucidum with Matrix-assisted Laser Desorption/ionization (MALDI) Mass Spectrometry

by Wei-Ting Hung, Shwu-Huey Wang, Chung-Hsuan Chen and Wen-Bin Yang

Molecules 2008, 13(8), 1538-1550; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules13081538 - 3 Aug 2008

Cited by 55 | Viewed by 16546

Abstract

A novel method that uses matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry to analyze molecular weight and sequencing of glucan in Ganoderma lucidum is presented. Thus, β-glucan, which was isolated from fruiting bodies of G. lucidum, was measured in a direct and fast [...] Read more.

A novel method that uses matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry to analyze molecular weight and sequencing of glucan in Ganoderma lucidum is presented. Thus, β-glucan, which was isolated from fruiting bodies of G. lucidum, was measured in a direct and fast way using MALDI mass spectrometry. In addition, tandem mass spectrometry of permethylated glucans of G. lucidum, dextran, curdlan and maltohexaose were also pursued and different fragment patterns were obtained. The G. lucidum glucan structure was determined and this method for linkage analysis of permethylated glucan has been proven feasible. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polysaccharides: Organic Chemistry, Bioactivity and Analysis, including Those from Medicinal Plants and Fungi)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

147 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Preparation of Chitosan from Brine Shrimp (Artemia urmiana) Cyst Shells and Effects of Different Chemical Processing Sequences on the Physicochemical and Functional Properties of the Product

by Hossein Tajik, Mehran Moradi, Seyed Mehdi Razavi Rohani, Amir Mehdi Erfani and Farnood Shokouhi Sabet Jalali

Molecules 2008, 13(6), 1263-1274; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules13061263 - 6 Jun 2008

Cited by 83 | Viewed by 18967

Abstract

Chitosan (CS) was prepared from Artemia urmiana cyst shells using the same chemical process as described for the other crustacean species, with minor adjustments in the treatment conditions. The influence of modifications of the CS production process on the physiochemical and functional properties [...] Read more.

Chitosan (CS) was prepared from Artemia urmiana cyst shells using the same chemical process as described for the other crustacean species, with minor adjustments in the treatment conditions. The influence of modifications of the CS production process on the physiochemical and functional properties of the CS obtained was examined. The study results indicate that Artemia urmiana cyst shells are a rich source of chitin as 29.3-34.5% of the shell’s dry weight consisted of this material. Compared to crab CS (selected as an example of CS from a different crustacean source) Artemia CS exhibited a medium molecular weight (4.5-5.7 ×10⁵ Da), lower degree of deacetylation (67-74%) and lower viscosity (29-91 centiposes). The physicochemical characteristics (e.g., ash, nitrogen and molecular weight) and functional properties (e.g., water binding capacity and antibacterial activity) of the prepared Artemia CSs were enhanced, compared to control and commercial samples, by varying the processing step sequence. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polysaccharides: Organic Chemistry, Bioactivity and Analysis, including Those from Medicinal Plants and Fungi)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

97 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Structural Patterns of Rhamnogalacturonans Modulating Hsp-27 Expression in Cultured Human Keratinocytes

by Vincent Gloaguen, Pierre Krausz, Véronique Brudieux, Brigitte Closs, Yves Leroy and Yann Guerardel

Molecules 2008, 13(5), 1207-1218; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules13051207 - 27 May 2008

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 13344

Abstract

Polysaccharide extracts were obtained from chestnut bran (Castanea sativa), grape marc (Vitis vinifera) and apple marc (Malus spp.) and fractionated by size exclusion chromatography after endopolygalacturonase degradation. Compositional and linkage analyses by GC and GC-MS showed the characteristic rhamnogalacturonan structure with specific [...] Read more.

Polysaccharide extracts were obtained from chestnut bran (Castanea sativa), grape marc (Vitis vinifera) and apple marc (Malus spp.) and fractionated by size exclusion chromatography after endopolygalacturonase degradation. Compositional and linkage analyses by GC and GC-MS showed the characteristic rhamnogalacturonan structure with specific arabinan (apple marc) and type II arabinogalactan (chestnut bran, grape marc) side chains. Type II arabinogalactan rhamnogalacturonan from chestnut bran significantly stimulated the in vitro differentiation of human keratinocytes, giving evidence of a tight structure-function relationship. This molecule comprises short and ramified 3- and 3,6-β- D-galactan and 5- and 3,5-α-L-arabinan side chains, but also contains significant amounts of t-Xyl and 4-Xyl with a characteristic 2:1 ratio. Enzymatic hydrolysis of this polysaccharide produced fragments of lower molecular weight with unchanged xylose content which conserved the same ability to stimulate human keratinocyte differentiation. It could be then speculated that dimeric xylosyl-xylose and/or longer oligomeric xylose side chains attached to a galacturonan and closely associated to hairy rhamno-galacturonan domains are essential patterns that could determine the biological activity of pectins. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polysaccharides: Organic Chemistry, Bioactivity and Analysis, including Those from Medicinal Plants and Fungi)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

488 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Influence of Hofmeister Series Ions on Hyaluronan Swelling and Viscosity

by Aleš Mráček, Júlia Varhaníková, Marián Lehocký, Lenka Gřundělová, Alena Pokopcová and Vladimír Velebný

Molecules 2008, 13(5), 1025-1034; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules13051025 - 1 May 2008

Cited by 44 | Viewed by 13683

Abstract

The dissolution of hyaluronan in water leads to its degradation, and as a resultits molecular weight decreases. The degradation of hyaluronan is mainly influenced bytemperature, solution composition, and also its pH. This study describes the influence ofHofmeister series ions on hyaluronan behaviour and [...] Read more.

The dissolution of hyaluronan in water leads to its degradation, and as a resultits molecular weight decreases. The degradation of hyaluronan is mainly influenced bytemperature, solution composition, and also its pH. This study describes the influence ofHofmeister series ions on hyaluronan behaviour and hyaluronan film swelling bysolutions of these ions. It was found that Hofmeister ions show lyotropic effectsinfluencing the entanglement of hyaluronan coils and their expansion from solid polymerfilms into swollen gel state. The hydrophobic and hydrophilic interactions in the structureof hyaluronan macromolecules are represented by the mutual diffusion coefficient D(c),the mean mutual diffusion coefficient D_s , the expansion work of coil swelling RA_δ,s, theactivation enthalpy of diffusion connected with swelling H_D,s and kinematic viscosity ofhyaluronan-ions solutions ν. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polysaccharides: Organic Chemistry, Bioactivity and Analysis, including Those from Medicinal Plants and Fungi)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

301 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Synthesis and Characterization of Konjac Glucomannan-Graft-Polyacrylamide via γ-Irradiation

by Zhenlin Xu, Youhui Yang, Yueming Jiang, Yuanming Sun, Yudong Shen and Jie Pang

Molecules 2008, 13(3), 490-500; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules13030490 - 1 Mar 2008

Cited by 34 | Viewed by 14640

Abstract

The synthesis of konjac glucomannan-graft-polyacrylamide (KGM-g-PAM) wascarried out at 25°C by γ-irradiation under a N₂ atmosphere. The effects of absorbedradiation dosage and monomer concentration on grafting yield and water absorbency werestudied. The grafted copolymers were characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared(FTIR) spectroscopy, nuclear [...] Read more.

The synthesis of konjac glucomannan-graft-polyacrylamide (KGM-g-PAM) wascarried out at 25°C by γ-irradiation under a N₂ atmosphere. The effects of absorbedradiation dosage and monomer concentration on grafting yield and water absorbency werestudied. The grafted copolymers were characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared(FTIR) spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), x-ray diffraction (XRD),thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and gel permeation chromatography (GPC). Thegrafting yield was observed to increase with increasing absorbed dosage and monomerconcentration. Compared with the original KGM, the grafted copolymers exhibited betterthermal stability and water absorbency. The results suggest that γ-irradiation is convenientand efficient for inducing graft copolymerization of KGM and acrylamide (AM). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polysaccharides: Organic Chemistry, Bioactivity and Analysis, including Those from Medicinal Plants and Fungi)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Research

1479 KiB

Open AccessReview

Marine Derived Polysaccharides for Biomedical Applications: Chemical Modification Approaches

by Giovanna Gomez D’Ayala, Mario Malinconico and Paola Laurienzo

Molecules 2008, 13(9), 2069-2106; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules13092069 - 3 Sep 2008

Cited by 409 | Viewed by 25390

Abstract

Polysaccharide-based biomaterials are an emerging class in several biomedical fields such as tissue regeneration, particularly for cartilage, drug delivery devices and gelentrapment systems for the immobilization of cells. Important properties of the polysaccharides include controllable biological activity, biodegradability, and their ability to form [...] Read more.

Polysaccharide-based biomaterials are an emerging class in several biomedical fields such as tissue regeneration, particularly for cartilage, drug delivery devices and gelentrapment systems for the immobilization of cells. Important properties of the polysaccharides include controllable biological activity, biodegradability, and their ability to form hydrogels. Most of the polysaccharides used derive from natural sources; particularly, alginate and chitin, two polysaccharides which have an extensive history of use in medicine, pharmacy and basic sciences, and can be easily extracted from marine plants (algae kelp) and crab shells, respectively. The recent rediscovery of poly-saccharidebased materials is also attributable to new synthetic routes for their chemical modification, with the aim of promoting new biological activities and/or to modify the final properties of the biomaterials for specific purposes. These synthetic strategies also involve the combination of polysaccharides with other polymers. A review of the more recent research in the field of chemical modification of alginate, chitin and its derivative chitosan is presented. Moreover, we report as case studies the results of our recent work concerning various different approaches and applications of polysaccharide-based biomaterials, such as the realization of novel composites based on calcium sulphate blended with alginate and with a chemically modified chitosan, the synthesis of novel alginate-poly(ethylene glycol) copolymers and the development of a family of materials based on alginate and acrylic polymers of potential interest as drug delivery systems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polysaccharides: Organic Chemistry, Bioactivity and Analysis, including Those from Medicinal Plants and Fungi)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

1744 KiB

Open AccessReview

Trehalose and Trehalose-based Polymers for Environmentally Benign, Biocompatible and Bioactive Materials

by Naozumi Teramoto, Navzer D. Sachinvala and Mitsuhiro Shibata

Molecules 2008, 13(8), 1773-1816; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules13081773 - 21 Aug 2008

Cited by 115 | Viewed by 30384

Abstract

Trehalose is a non-reducing disaccharide that is found in many organisms but not in mammals. This sugar plays important roles in cryptobiosis of selaginella mosses, tardigrades (water bears), and other animals which revive with water from a state of suspended animation induced by [...] Read more.

Trehalose is a non-reducing disaccharide that is found in many organisms but not in mammals. This sugar plays important roles in cryptobiosis of selaginella mosses, tardigrades (water bears), and other animals which revive with water from a state of suspended animation induced by desiccation. The interesting properties of trehalose are due to its unique symmetrical low-energy structure, wherein two glucose units are bonded face-to-face by 1→1-glucoside links. The Hayashibara Co. Ltd., is credited for developing an inexpensive, environmentally benign and industrial-scale process for the enzymatic conversion of α-1,4-linked polyhexoses to α,α-D-trehalose, which made it easy to explore novel food, industrial, and medicinal uses for trehalose and its derivatives. Trehalosechemistry is a relatively new and emerging field, and polymers of trehalose derivatives appear environmentally benign, biocompatible, and biodegradable. The discriminating properties of trehalose are attributed to its structure, symmetry, solubility, kinetic and thermodynamic stability and versatility. While syntheses of trehalose-based polymer networks can be straightforward, syntheses and characterization of well defined linear polymers with tailored properties using trehalose-based monomers is challenging, and typically involves protection and deprotection of hydroxyl groups to attain desired structural, morphological, biological, and physical and chemical properties in the resulting products. In this review, we will overview known literature on trehalose’s fascinating involvement in cryptobiology; highlight its applications in many fields; and then discuss methods we used to prepare new trehalose-based monomers and polymers and explain their properties. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polysaccharides: Organic Chemistry, Bioactivity and Analysis, including Those from Medicinal Plants and Fungi)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

301 KiB

Open AccessReview

Fucoidan: Structure and Bioactivity

by Bo Li, Fei Lu, Xinjun Wei and Ruixiang Zhao

Molecules 2008, 13(8), 1671-1695; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules13081671 - 12 Aug 2008

Cited by 1106 | Viewed by 54023

Abstract

Fucoidan refers to a type of polysaccharide which contains substantial percentages of L-fucose and sulfate ester groups, mainly derived from brown seaweed. For the past decade fucoidan has been extensively studied due to its numerous interesting biological activities. Recently the search for new [...] Read more.

Fucoidan refers to a type of polysaccharide which contains substantial percentages of L-fucose and sulfate ester groups, mainly derived from brown seaweed. For the past decade fucoidan has been extensively studied due to its numerous interesting biological activities. Recently the search for new drugs has raised interest in fucoidans. In the past few years, several fucoidans’ structures have been solved, and many aspects of their biological activity have been elucidated. This review summarizes the research progress on the structure and bioactivity of fucoidan and the relationships between structure and bioactivity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polysaccharides: Organic Chemistry, Bioactivity and Analysis, including Those from Medicinal Plants and Fungi)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

230 KiB

Open AccessReview

Composition and Applications of Aloe vera Leaf Gel

by Josias H. Hamman

Molecules 2008, 13(8), 1599-1616; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules13081599 - 8 Aug 2008

Cited by 787 | Viewed by 101186

Abstract

Many of the health benefits associated with Aloe vera have been attributed to the polysaccharides contained in the gel of the leaves. These biological activities include promotion of wound healing, antifungal activity, hypoglycemic or antidiabetic effects antiinflammatory, anticancer, immunomodulatory and gastroprotective properties. While [...] Read more.

Many of the health benefits associated with Aloe vera have been attributed to the polysaccharides contained in the gel of the leaves. These biological activities include promotion of wound healing, antifungal activity, hypoglycemic or antidiabetic effects antiinflammatory, anticancer, immunomodulatory and gastroprotective properties. While the known biological activities of A. vera will be briefly discussed, it is the aim of this review to further highlight recently discovered effects and applications of the leaf gel. These effects include the potential of whole leaf or inner fillet gel liquid preparations of A. vera to enhance the intestinal absorption and bioavailability of co-administered compounds as well as enhancement of skin permeation. In addition, important pharmaceutical applications such as the use of the dried A. vera gel powder as an excipient in sustained release pharmaceutical dosage forms will be outlined. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polysaccharides: Organic Chemistry, Bioactivity and Analysis, including Those from Medicinal Plants and Fungi)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

412 KiB

Open AccessReview

Tomato Derived Polysaccharides for Biotechnological Applications: Chemical and Biological Approaches

by Giuseppina Tommonaro, Annarita Poli, Salvatore De Rosa and Barbara Nicolaus

Molecules 2008, 13(6), 1384-1398; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules13061384 - 19 Jun 2008

Cited by 25 | Viewed by 13531

Abstract

Recent studies concerning the isolation and purification of exopolysaccharides from suspension-cultured tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L. var. San Marzano) cells and the description of a simple, rapid and low environmental impact method with for obtaining polysaccharides from solid tomato-processing industry wastes are reported. [...] Read more.

Recent studies concerning the isolation and purification of exopolysaccharides from suspension-cultured tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L. var. San Marzano) cells and the description of a simple, rapid and low environmental impact method with for obtaining polysaccharides from solid tomato-processing industry wastes are reported. Their chemical composition, rheological properties and partial primary structure were determined on the basis of spectroscopic analyses (UV, IR, GC-MS, ¹H-, ¹³C-NMR). Moreover, the anticytotoxic activities of exopolysaccharides obtained from cultured tomato cells were tested in a brine shrimp bioassay and the preparation of biodegradable film by chemical processing of polysaccharides from solid tomato industry waste was also reported. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polysaccharides: Organic Chemistry, Bioactivity and Analysis, including Those from Medicinal Plants and Fungi)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

152 KiB

Open AccessReview

Application of Prodrugs to Inflammatory Diseases of the Gut

by Helieh S. Oz and Jeffrey L. Ebersole

Molecules 2008, 13(2), 452-474; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules13020452 - 27 Feb 2008

Cited by 37 | Viewed by 15172 | Correction

Abstract

Oral delivery is the most common and preferred route of drug administrationalthough the digestive tract exhibits several obstacles to drug delivery including motilityand intraluminal pH profiles. The gut milieu represents the largest mucosal surfaceexposed to microorganisms with 10^10-12 colony forming bacteria/g of [...] Read more.

Oral delivery is the most common and preferred route of drug administrationalthough the digestive tract exhibits several obstacles to drug delivery including motilityand intraluminal pH profiles. The gut milieu represents the largest mucosal surfaceexposed to microorganisms with 10^10-12 colony forming bacteria/g of colonic content.Approximately, one third of fecal dry matter is made of bacteria/ bacterial components.Indeed, the normal gut microbiota is responsible for healthy digestion of dietary fibers(polysaccharides) and fermentation of short chain fatty acids such as acetate and butyratethat provide carbon sources (fuel) for these bacteria. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)results in breakage of the mucosal barrier, an altered microbiota and dysregulated gutimmunity. Prodrugs that are chemically constructed to target colonic release or aredegraded specifically by colonic bacteria, can be useful in the treatment of IBD. Thisreview describes the progress in digestive tract prodrug design and delivery in light of gutmetabolic activities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polysaccharides: Organic Chemistry, Bioactivity and Analysis, including Those from Medicinal Plants and Fungi)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Polysaccharides: Organic Chemistry, Bioactivity and Analysis, including Those from Medicinal Plants and Fungi

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editor

Special Issue Information

Keywords

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

Published Papers (12 papers)

Research

Review

Further Information

Guidelines

MDPI Initiatives

Follow MDPI