Ultrasonic-Assisted Extraction of Polysaccharides from <i>Schizochytrium limacinum</i> Meal Using Eutectic Solvents: Structural Characterization and Antioxidant Activity

To address the underutilization of <i>Schizochytrium limacinum</i> meal, polysaccharides from <i>Schizochytrium limacinum</i> meal (SLMPs) were prepared via ultrasonic-assisted eutectic-solvent-based extraction. Although polysaccharides exhibit promising application potential...

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Main Authors: Xinyu Li, Jiaxian Wang, Guangrong Huang, Zhenbao Jia, Manjun Xu, Wenwei Chen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Foods
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/11/1901
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author Xinyu Li
Jiaxian Wang
Guangrong Huang
Zhenbao Jia
Manjun Xu
Wenwei Chen
author_facet Xinyu Li
Jiaxian Wang
Guangrong Huang
Zhenbao Jia
Manjun Xu
Wenwei Chen
author_sort Xinyu Li
collection DOAJ
description To address the underutilization of <i>Schizochytrium limacinum</i> meal, polysaccharides from <i>Schizochytrium limacinum</i> meal (SLMPs) were prepared via ultrasonic-assisted eutectic-solvent-based extraction. Although polysaccharides exhibit promising application potential, the structural ambiguity of SLMPs necessitates systematic investigation to elucidate their structure–activity relationships, thereby providing a scientific foundation for their subsequent development and utilization. Using response-surface methodology (RSM), the optimized extraction conditions were determined as follows: ultrasonic temperature of 52 °C, ultrasonic duration of 31 min, ultrasonic power of 57 W, water content of 29%, and a material-to-liquid ratio of 1:36 g/mL. Under these conditions, the maximum polysaccharide yield reached 9.25%, demonstrating a significant advantage over the conventional water extraction method (4.18% yield). Following purification, the antioxidant activity and structural characteristics of SLMPs were analyzed. The molecular weight, monosaccharide composition, reducing groups, and higher-order conformation were systematically correlated with antioxidant activity. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), monosaccharide composition analysis, and <sup>1</sup>H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy revealed characteristic polysaccharide functional groups (C–O, O–H, and C=O). Monosaccharides such as glucose (Glc), galactose (Gal), and arabinose (Ara) were found to enhance antioxidant activity. High-performance gel permeation chromatography (HPGPC) indicated a molecular weight of 20.7 kDa for SLMPs, with low-molecular-weight fractions exhibiting superior antioxidant activity. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) further demonstrated that ultrasonically extracted polysaccharides possess porous structures capable of chelating redox-active functional groups. These findings suggest that ultrasonic-assisted eutectic-solvent-based extraction is an efficient method for polysaccharide extraction while preserving antioxidant properties.
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spelling doaj-art-7716ae92e88d4d4fb6420690ad8222cc2025-08-20T02:33:11ZengMDPI AGFoods2304-81582025-05-011411190110.3390/foods14111901Ultrasonic-Assisted Extraction of Polysaccharides from <i>Schizochytrium limacinum</i> Meal Using Eutectic Solvents: Structural Characterization and Antioxidant ActivityXinyu Li0Jiaxian Wang1Guangrong Huang2Zhenbao Jia3Manjun Xu4Wenwei Chen5College of Life Sciences, China Jiliang University, Hangzhou 310018, ChinaCollege of Life Sciences, China Jiliang University, Hangzhou 310018, ChinaCollege of Life Sciences, China Jiliang University, Hangzhou 310018, ChinaCollege of Life Sciences, China Jiliang University, Hangzhou 310018, ChinaCollege of Life Sciences, China Jiliang University, Hangzhou 310018, ChinaCollege of Life Sciences, China Jiliang University, Hangzhou 310018, ChinaTo address the underutilization of <i>Schizochytrium limacinum</i> meal, polysaccharides from <i>Schizochytrium limacinum</i> meal (SLMPs) were prepared via ultrasonic-assisted eutectic-solvent-based extraction. Although polysaccharides exhibit promising application potential, the structural ambiguity of SLMPs necessitates systematic investigation to elucidate their structure–activity relationships, thereby providing a scientific foundation for their subsequent development and utilization. Using response-surface methodology (RSM), the optimized extraction conditions were determined as follows: ultrasonic temperature of 52 °C, ultrasonic duration of 31 min, ultrasonic power of 57 W, water content of 29%, and a material-to-liquid ratio of 1:36 g/mL. Under these conditions, the maximum polysaccharide yield reached 9.25%, demonstrating a significant advantage over the conventional water extraction method (4.18% yield). Following purification, the antioxidant activity and structural characteristics of SLMPs were analyzed. The molecular weight, monosaccharide composition, reducing groups, and higher-order conformation were systematically correlated with antioxidant activity. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), monosaccharide composition analysis, and <sup>1</sup>H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy revealed characteristic polysaccharide functional groups (C–O, O–H, and C=O). Monosaccharides such as glucose (Glc), galactose (Gal), and arabinose (Ara) were found to enhance antioxidant activity. High-performance gel permeation chromatography (HPGPC) indicated a molecular weight of 20.7 kDa for SLMPs, with low-molecular-weight fractions exhibiting superior antioxidant activity. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) further demonstrated that ultrasonically extracted polysaccharides possess porous structures capable of chelating redox-active functional groups. These findings suggest that ultrasonic-assisted eutectic-solvent-based extraction is an efficient method for polysaccharide extraction while preserving antioxidant properties.https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/11/1901ultrasonic-assisted eutectic solvent extractionpolysaccharidesantioxidant activity<i>Schizochytrium limacinum</i> mealstructural characterization
spellingShingle Xinyu Li
Jiaxian Wang
Guangrong Huang
Zhenbao Jia
Manjun Xu
Wenwei Chen
Ultrasonic-Assisted Extraction of Polysaccharides from <i>Schizochytrium limacinum</i> Meal Using Eutectic Solvents: Structural Characterization and Antioxidant Activity
Foods
ultrasonic-assisted eutectic solvent extraction
polysaccharides
antioxidant activity
<i>Schizochytrium limacinum</i> meal
structural characterization
title Ultrasonic-Assisted Extraction of Polysaccharides from <i>Schizochytrium limacinum</i> Meal Using Eutectic Solvents: Structural Characterization and Antioxidant Activity
title_full Ultrasonic-Assisted Extraction of Polysaccharides from <i>Schizochytrium limacinum</i> Meal Using Eutectic Solvents: Structural Characterization and Antioxidant Activity
title_fullStr Ultrasonic-Assisted Extraction of Polysaccharides from <i>Schizochytrium limacinum</i> Meal Using Eutectic Solvents: Structural Characterization and Antioxidant Activity
title_full_unstemmed Ultrasonic-Assisted Extraction of Polysaccharides from <i>Schizochytrium limacinum</i> Meal Using Eutectic Solvents: Structural Characterization and Antioxidant Activity
title_short Ultrasonic-Assisted Extraction of Polysaccharides from <i>Schizochytrium limacinum</i> Meal Using Eutectic Solvents: Structural Characterization and Antioxidant Activity
title_sort ultrasonic assisted extraction of polysaccharides from i schizochytrium limacinum i meal using eutectic solvents structural characterization and antioxidant activity
topic ultrasonic-assisted eutectic solvent extraction
polysaccharides
antioxidant activity
<i>Schizochytrium limacinum</i> meal
structural characterization
url https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/11/1901
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