Comparison of structural characteristics and bioactivities of polysaccharides from loquat leaves prepared by different drying techniques

In the present study, freeze drying, hot-air drying, vacuum drying, and microwave drying at the microwave powers of 400, 600, and 800 W, respectively, were utilized to dry loquat leaves for evaluating the effects of different drying techniques on the physicochemical structures and bioactivities of polysaccharides extracted from loquat leaves (LLPs). Results demonstrated that the physicochemical structures and bioactivities of LLPs significantly affected by different drying techniques. The degrees of esterification, molar ratios of constituent monosaccharides, contents of uronic acids, apparent viscosities, and molecular weights of LLPs were varied by different drying techniques. Additionally, LLPs, particularly LLP-M4 which extracted from loquat leaves prepared by microwave drying at the power of 400 W, exerted remarkable in vitro binding capacities, strong inhibitory effects on alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase, and obvious antioxidant activities. Results indicated that the microwave drying could be an efficient drying technique before extraction of bioactive LLPs, and LLPs had great potential applications in the functional food and pharmaceutical industries.