Purification, structure and immunobiological activity of an arabinan-rich pectic polysaccharide from the cell walls of Prunus dulcis seeds

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2004

Authors

Dourado, F (Author) Other; Madureira, P (Author) Other; Carvalho, V (Author) Other; Coelho, R (Author) Other; Coimbra, MA (Author) Other; Vilanova, M (Author) ICBAS; Mota, M (Author) Other; Gama, FM (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Carbohydrate Research

Vol. 339 No. 15

Pages: 2555-2566

ISSN: 0008-6215

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 58 Citations

Scopus - 62 Citations

Scientific classification

FOS: Natural sciences > Chemical sciences

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-000-830

DOI: 10.1016/j.carres.2004.07.024

Abstract (EN): The structure and bioactivity of a polysaccharide extracted and purified from a 4 M KOH + H3BO3 solution from Prunus dulcis seed cell wall material was studied. Anion-exchange chromatography of the crude extract yielded two sugar-rich fractions: one neutral (A), the other acidic (E). These fractions contain a very similar monosaccharide composition: 5:2:1 for arabinose, uronic acids and xylose, respectively, rhamnose and galactose being present in smaller amounts. As estimated by size-exclusion chromatography, the acidic fraction had an apparent molecular mass of 762 kDa. Methylation analysis (from the crude and fractions A and E), suggests that the polysaccharide is an arabinan-rich pectin. In all cases, the polysaccharides bear the same type of structural Ara moieties with highly branched arabinan-rich pectic polysaccharides. The average relative proportions of the arabinosyl linkages is 3:2:1:1 for T-Araf. (1-->5)-Araf (1-->3,5)-Araf (1-->2,3,5)-Araf. The crude polysaccharide extract and fractions A and E induced a murine lymphocyte stimulatory effect, as evaluated by the in vitro and in vivo expression of lymphocyte activation markers and spleen mononuclear cells culture proliferation. The lymphocyte stimulatory effect was stronger on B- than on T-cells. No evidence of cytotoxic effects induced by the polysaccharide fractions was found.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 12