Quality evaluation of Lycium barbarum (wolfberry) from different regions in China based on polysaccharide structure, yield and bioactivities

Abstract

BackgroundLycium barbarum (wolfberry) has been widely cultivated in China, particularly in northwest regions. However, the fruit size and taste of L. barbarum from different habitats are quite different. Traditionally, only the fruit of L. barbarum produced in Ningxia province is recorded as an authentic herb, although the detailed mechanism responsible for this remains obscure. Polysaccharides are considered major active ingredients in L. barbarum which is crucial for its quality evaluation.MethodsIn this study, we assessed the yield, monosaccharide composition, molecular weight, and conformation of L. barbarum polysaccharides (LBPs) collected from different regions of China. The antioxidant and immune activities of LBPs were also determined as its quality indicator.ResultsOur results showed that the similarity values of monosaccharide composition were larger than 0.926, and the Mw of the two fractions (peaks 1–2) in LBPs were ranging from 1.36 × 106 to 2.01 × 106 (peak 1), and 6.85 × 104 to 10.30 × 104 (peak 2) which indicated that the structure of LBPs were similar. In addition, results showed that there was no significant difference in antioxidant and immune activities of nine LBPs from different regions. However, the yield of LBPs from Qinghai Province (low atmospheric temperature, high altitude) was significantly lower (p < 0.05) than those collected from Xinjiang and Ningxia province.ConclusionsThese data suggested that the L. barbarum produced in Ningxia and Xinjiang maybe more suitable as materials for medicines and functional foods. This study also provides a reference for improving the quality control standard of LBPs.

Polyphenol Composition and Antioxidant Potential of Instant Gruels Enriched with Lycium barbarum L. Fruit

“…In addition, the berries contain many available minerals such as potassium, sodium, phosphorus, magnesium, calcium and iron. What is more, the fruits contain fatty acids (hexadecanoic and linoleic) and organic acids (citric, fumaric, apple and shikimic) [ 9 , 10 , 11 ].…”

Effects of Lycium barbarum Polysaccharides on Immunity and the Gut Microbiota in Cyclophosphamide-Induced Immunosuppressed Mice

“…Gut microbiota disruption is increasingly described in multiple pathologies. Plant polysaccharides, which are usually indigestible components for the host, exert regulatory effects on the gut microbiota (Wang et al, 2019a). Recently, mounting evidence suggest that plant polysaccharides have obvious regulatory effects on the intestinal flora.…”

Impact of phosphorus fertilizer level on the yield and metabolome of goji fruit

“…Liu et al, through their research on the fruit quality of goji in Ningxia under different phosphorus application levels, found that the transverse diameter of goji showed a trend of first decreasing and then increasing with the application of increasing amounts of phosphorus 17 . Wang et al reported that the application of organic fertilizers (cow dung, sheep dung, pig dung, and biogas slurry) significantly increased the transpiration rate, stomatal conductance, and intercellular CO 2 concentration of leaves, significantly increased the chlorophyll content and photosynthesis of leaves in goji, and that sheep manure had the greatest effect in increasing the 100-grain weight, soluble solid solution, soluble sugar, and vitamin C of goji fruits 18 . Some researchers by comparing appearance traits (fruit color, diameter, 100-grain weight, and grain size) of organic and non-organic fresh goji fruits from different harvest times, indicated that the nutritional component contents were higher in goji fruits picked in July 19 , 20 .…”