Physicochemical properties, structure and biological activities of a novel low-molecular-weight hawthorn pectin

Abstract

A novel low-molecular-weight pectin (MPE-90) from hawthorn (Crataegus pinnatifida) was obtained by sequential citric acid extraction, pectinase modification, gradient ethanol precipitation. Qualitative analysis showed MPE-90 did not contain proteins, polyphenols, starch, and free monosaccharides. The physicochemical properties and biological activities of MPE-90 were explored using a series of characterization methods. The results indicated MPE-90 with a molecular weight of 5.70 g/mol consisted of fucose, rhamnose, arabinose, galactose, glucose, xylose, mannose, fructose and glucuronic acid, and belonged to HG-type pectin. MPE-90 contained repeated 4-α-L-GalAp-1, and part of domain were linked by 2-α-L-Rhap- and 4-α-L-GalAp-1 by turns, and had the branch of T-α-L-Araf(1→4)-α-L-GalAp(1→, →2)-α-L-Rhap(1→ and →5)-α-L-Araf(1→. Physiologically, MPE-90 exerted good antioxidant activity and probiotic activity. This study indicated that MPE-90 has potential application for food and pharmaceutical industry.