Antioxidant activities and functional properties of enzymatic protein hydrolysates from defatted Camellia oleifera seed cake.

Seed cake protein (SCP) from Camellia oleifera was hydrolyzed by five commercial proteases (Flavorzyme, Trypsin, Neutrase, Papain, Alcalase). Amino acid composition, molecular weight distribution, antioxidant activity and functional property of the seed cake protein hydrolysates (SCPH) were investigated. Enzymatic hydrolysis improved protein solubility significantly but impaired the foaming and emulsifying property. Hydrolysate generated by alcalase had the highest hydrolysis degree (DH) and antioxidant activity, and displayed excellent protein solubility over wide range of pH, while hydrolysate prepared by flavorzyme showed better copper chelating capacity and emulsifying stability with low molecular weight distribution. Trypsin-treated SCPH showed better foaming property than original protein. The results indicated that enzyme type greatly influenced the molecular weight, functional property and antioxidant activity of SCPH. It was also found that electing appropriate protease and controlling the DH could be enhanced or reduced functional property according to actual applications.

Structural elucidation and antiaging activity of polysaccharide from Paris polyphylla leaves.

To optimize the use of Paris polyphylla resources, a homogenous polysaccharide (PPLP) was obtained from P. polyphylla leaves. Its average molecule weight was 2.95×104Da, and the analysis of monosaccharide composition shown that PPLP consisted of l-arabinose and d-galactose with a molar ratio of 4.2:5.8. Methylation and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy data revealed that the backbone of PPLP was comprised of (1→6)-ß-d-galactan, and the branched chains mainly consisted of arabinosyl residues which was linked to backbone via (1→3)-linkages. In addition, the antiaging effect of PPLP was investigated in a d-galactose induced mouse aging model. Compared with model group, the formations of malondialdehyde (MDA) were significantly prevented, and the levels of antioxidant enzymes and total antioxidant capacity (TAOC) were significantly improved in serum and liver in PPLP dose groups. These results demonstrated that PPLP possessed potent antiaging capacity.

The antioxidant activities effect of neutral and acidic polysaccharides from Epimedium acuminatum Franch. on Caenorhabditis elegans.

A neutral polysaccharide (EAP-1N) and an acidic polysaccharide (EAP-2A) were purified from Epimedium acuminatum by DEAE-52 cellulose anion-exchange chromatography and gel-filtration chromatography. Their structures were characterized by chemical composition analysis, high-performance size exclusion chromatography (HPSEC), Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FT-IR), and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Further, their antioxidant activities were investigated both in vitro and in vivo. Results showed that EAP-2A had higher uronic acid content and larger average molecular weight than EAP-1N. Compared with EAP-1N, EAP-2A exhibited significantly scavenging activities against free radical in vitro, as well as strongly stimulating effect on antioxidant enzyme activities (including superoxide dismutases (SOD), catalases (CAT), and glutathione peroxidases (GSH-PX)) and preferably inhibitory effect on lipid peroxidation and protein carboxyl in the mode of Caenorhabditis elegans.

Characterization and antioxidant activities of the polysaccharides from Radix Cyathulae officinalis Kuan.

A water-soluble polysaccharide (PSRC) was extracted and purified from the roots of Radix Cyathulae officinalis Kuan, and its chemical characteristics, monosaccharide composition and antioxidant activities were characterized. The average of molecular weight (Mw) of PSRC was 182 kDa. The majority of monosaccharide components of PSRC was glucose (relative mass 48.8%) with lower levels of mannose, rhamnose, galactose, fructose and arabinose (relative mass of 15.7, 14.3, 10.6, 6.1 and 4.5%, respectively). In vitro assays revealed that RSRC possessed potent scavenging activities against DPPH, hydroxyl and superoxide anion radicals. Oral administration of PSRC significantly enhanced antioxidant enzyme activities (including total superoxide dismutase, copper-zinc superoxide dismutase (Cu,Zn-SOD), manganese superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD), glutathione peroxidase and catalase (CAT)) and capacities of scavenging superoxide anion and hydroxyl radicals, markedly lowered lipid peroxidation formation of malondialdehyde and significantly up-regulated mRNA expressions of Cu,Zn-SOD, Mn-SOD, CAT, glutathione peroxidase 1, thioredoxin 1 and thioredoxin 2, in a d-galactose-induced aging mouse model. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that PSRC could be used as a novel promising source of natural antioxidants and antiaging drugs.

Thermal stress resistance and aging effects of Panax notoginseng polysaccharides on Caenorhabditis elegans.

Panax notoginseng attract public attention due to their potential biomedical properties and corresponding health benefits. The present study investigated the anti-aging and thermal stress resistance effects of polysaccharides from P. notoginseng on Caenorhabditis elegans. Results showed polysaccharides had little scavenging ability of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in vitro, but significantly extended lifespan of C. elegans, especially the main root polysaccharide (MRP) which prolongs the mean lifespan of wild type worms by 21%. Further study demonstrated that the heat stress resistance effect of polysaccharides on C. elegans might be attributed to the elevation of antioxidant enzyme activities (both superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT)) and the reduction lipid peroxidation of malondialdehyde (MDA) level. Taken together, the results provided a scientific basis for the further exploitation of the mechanism of longer lifespan controlled by P. notoginseng polysaccharides on C. elegans. The P. notoginseng polysaccharides might be considered as a potential source to delay aging.

Optimization of extraction process and antioxidant activity of polysaccharides from leaves of Paris polyphylla.

Based on a single-factor test, a central composite design was used to optimize the extraction conditions of polysaccharides from leaves of Paris polyphylla Smith var. yunnanensis (Franch.) Hand.-Mazz. Three independent variables, including extraction temperature (°C), ratio of water to raw material, and extraction time (h), which significantly affected the yield of polysaccharides, were investigated. The experimental data were fitted to a quadratic polynomial equation using multiple regression analysis and also examined using appropriate statistical methods. The optimum conditions were as follows: extraction temperature, 90.8°C; ratio of water to raw material, 21.3:1; and extraction time 4.8h. Under these conditions, the experimental yield was 54.18%, which matched the predicted value well. Furthermore, the purified polysaccharide exerted strong antioxidant effects on DPPH, hydroxyl, and superoxide radicals in vitro.

Extraction, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of Epimedium acuminatum Franch. polysaccharide.

Polysaccharides from Epimedium acuminatum were extracted by hot water and optimized with response surface methodology. The optimal conditions of the extraction were determined to be the ratio of water to raw material of 29.61, extraction temperature of 85.67°C and extraction time of 3.57 h. Under these optimal conditions, the yield of polysaccharide was 8.21%, which was well matched with the predictive yield (8.23%). Moreover, three purified fractions (EAP40-1, EAP60-1 and EAP80-2) were obtained for further chemical analysis, antioxidant activity analysis and antimicrobial activity analysis. EAP40-1 with molecular weight of 138,884 Da showed the best radical scavenging activity. Meanwhile, EAP60-1 with molecular weight of 114,667 Da was found to exhibit significant antihemolytic activity and antimicrobial activity.