In vitro effects of four polysaccharides containing β-D-Glup on intestinal function

Plant polysaccharides exert a wide range of biological effects on the intestinal function. In this study, four polysaccharides containing beta-D-Glup, including Dendrobium officinale polysaccharide (DOP), Dendrobium aphyllum polysaccharide (DAP), and glucans from yeast (G-Y) and barley (G-B), were investigated in vitro for their intestinal-promoting functions such as inhibition of digestive enzymes, effect of blood glucose and blood lipid levels by using ultraviolet spectrophotometry, as well as the relationship of their structures to those functions. The results indicated that all polysaccharides significantly slowed glucose diffusion rate, decreased protease, and pancreatic lipase activities. Increased branching degrees had a deleterious effect on the alpha-amylase activity but increased bile acid binding. Increased calcium concentration in glucans (G-Y and G-B) and increased mannose molar ratio in Dendrobium polysaccharides (DOP and DAP) were correlated with increased pancreatic lipase inhibition. The polysaccharides with higher glucose content and branching degrees had higher bile acid binding and disruption of cholesterol micelle formation. These polysaccharides exerted a variety of potential health-promoting effects attributed to their different structures, which should be further investigated in vivo.