Water-Soluble Polysaccharides from Ephedra alata Stems: Structural Characterization, Functional Properties, and Antioxidant Activity

Abstract

In this study, the physicochemical characterization, functional properties, and antioxidant activity of polysaccharides extracted from Ephedra alata (EAP) were investigated. EAP were extracted in water during 3 h with a liquid/solid ratio of 5 in a water bath at 90 °C. The structure of the extracted EAP was examined by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The functional properties and biochemical activities of EAP were determined. The chemical analysis revealed that the contents of carbohydrates, uronic acid, and proteins were 73.24% ± 1.24%, 6.82% ± 0.57%, and 6.56% ± 0.36%, respectively. The results showed that the extracted EAP essentially contain three functional groups: C=O, C-H, and O-H. SEM images showed that EAP present numerous high porosity particles. The monosaccharide composition revealed a polymer composed of glucose (43.1%), galactose (36.4%), mannose (14.9%), arabinose (3.7%), and gluconic acid (1.7%). EAP showed interesting functional properties (solubility, oil holding capacity, foaming and emulsion properties). Finally, the results revealed that EAP displayed excellent antihypertensive and antioxidant activities. Overall, EAP present a promising natural source of food additives, antioxidants, and antihypertensive agents.

Control of Staphylococcus aureus methicillin resistant isolated from auricular infections using aqueous and methanolic extracts of Ephedra alata

“…The consumption of 100 g of E. alata aerial parts could cover around 37.5% and 75%, dietary Fer intake for man and women, respectively. Calcium, potassium and iron contents were excessive higher , whereas sodium level was lower than those reported by Soua et al (2020) for polysaccharides extracted from E. alata grown in Mahdia (delegation in the center-east of Tunisia).…”

Influence of the ecological environment on the structural characteristics and bioactivities of polysaccharides from alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.)

“…This is attributable to their functioning as hydrogen donors capable of scavenging the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical, which neutralizes oxidative stress. 15 Altogether these studies indicate that the structural characteristics of phytogenic PS confer their bioactivities. 13,16…”

Green Synthesis of Gold, Iron and Selenium Nanoparticles Using Phytoconstituents: Preliminary Evaluation of Antioxidant and Biocompatibility Potential

“…As seen in Figure 2a,b, peaks in the range of 3800-3600 cm -1 could be attributed to the phenolic groups of the ephedra and pistachio leaf, whereas peaks at 1715, 1506, 1354 and 1218 cm -1 would be attributed to carbonyl C=O stretch, C=C aromatic, CH 3 C-H bending in alkyls, and R-O-R (ether), respectively. When comparing the FTIR of Ephedra alata extract [39] with the FTIR of Au-NP synthesized from ephedra, some differences were observed at different peaks indicating the involvement of different functional groups in the formation of Au-NP. Also, some differences are observed when comparing the FTIR of the pistachio leaf extract [40] with the FTIR for Au-NP synthesized from pistachio leaf extract for peaks, which indicates the involvement of the OH groups present the phytoconstituents in the formation of Au-NP.…”