RESUMO
Pectin oligosaccharides (POSs) have prebiotic and antiglycation activities in vitro, but the specific structure-activity relationship is unclear. In this study, POSs were obtained by enzymatic and ultrasound-assisted enzymatic degradation of pectin polysaccharide (PPS), respectively. Based on the chemical characterization, the antiglycation in vitro and prebiotic activities of POSs were compared and the structure-activity relationship was studied. The results showed that the antiglycation activity of POSs in vitro was proportional to the galacturonic acid content and GalA:Rha molar ratios except for the low molecular weight POSs (LM-POSs), and inversely proportional to its branching degree, such as Ara:Rha and Gal:Rha molar ratios. In addition, it was also found that the prebiotic activity of POSs was positively correlated with Ara:Rha and Gal:Rha molar ratios in molecule composition and the neutral sugar content, especially galactose and arabinose. The degree of esterification (DE) was less important for both antiglycation and prebiotic activity of POSs. These results provided an important theoretical basis for POSs application in food.