Structure, physical property and antioxidant activity of catechin grafted Tremella fuciformis polysaccharide

In this study, structural characterization, physical property and antioxidant activity of catechin grafted Tremella fuciformis polysaccharide (catechin-g-TPS) were investigated. Crude polysaccharides were isolated from the fruit bodies of T. fuciformis and further purified on DEAE-52 and Sepharose CL-4B chromatography to afford a main purified fraction (named TPS). The molecular weight of TPS was determined as 5.82 x 10(5) Da by HPLC. Then, the free radical mediated grafting of catechin onto TPS was achieved by using a redox system. As compared with the unmodified TPS, catechin-g-TPS showed new bands within the range of 1300-1600 cm(-1) in FT-IR spectrum, and exhibited new signals at around delta 6.00 and 6.80 ppm in H-1 NMR spectrum. Thermogravimetric analysis indicated the thermal stability of catechin-g-TPS was higher than TPS. X-ray diffraction spectrum of catechin-g-TPS exhibited two sharp narrow diffraction peaks at 14.2 and 32.1 degrees, corresponding to the crystalline peaks of catechin. Scanning electron microscopy observation revealed the surface of TPS was smooth, whereas the surface of catechin-g-TPS was much rough. These results all confirmed the successful grafting of catechin onto TPS. Moreover, catechin-g-TPS had higher 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity and reducing power as compared to TPS. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.