Comparative study on the physicochemical and functional properties of the mucilage in the carpel of Nymphaea odorata using ultrasonic and classical heating extractions

Extraction Optimization, Characterization and Biological Activities of Polysaccharide Extracts from Nymphaea hybrid

In this study, polysaccharide-rich Nymphaea hybrid extracts (NHE) were obtained using the ultrasound-assisted cellulase extraction (UCE) method optimized by response surface methodology (RSM). The structural properties and thermal stability of NHE were characterized by Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR), high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and thermogravimetry-derivative thermogravimetry (TG-DTG) analysis, respectively. Moreover, the bioactivities of NHE, including the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, whitening and scratch healing activities were evaluated by different in vitro assays. NHE conveyed a good ability to scavenge against the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radicals and inhibit the hyaluronidase activity. NHE can effectively protect the HaCaT cells against oxidative damage by inhibiting the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in the H₂O₂ stimulation assays and promoting the proliferation and migration in the scratch assays. In addition, NHE was proven to inhibit melanin production in B16 cells. Collectively, the above results seem to be the evidence needed to promote the potential of NHE to be regarded as a new functional raw material in the cosmetics or food industries.

Mucilage as a functional food hydrocolloid: ongoing and potential applications in prebiotics and nutraceuticals

Mucilage is a soluble dietary fiber used as a food additive to give foods a firmer texture, aside from its many health benefits and pharmacological properties. It is a polysaccharide in nature, composed of large molecules of sugars and uronic acid moieties. The extraction of mucilage is achieved from a wide variety of plant parts, including rhizomes, roots, and seeds, and it has also been reported from microorganisms. In this review, the nutritional and medicinal applications of mucilage are described in the context of the different mucilage types. The current article highlights state-of-the-art valorization practices relating to mucilage and its potential novel usages in the food industry and nutraceuticals, and as a prebiotic, in addition to its nutritional and anti-nutritional values. Analysis of the prebiotic action of mucilage with respect to its structure activity relationship, as well as how it modulates gut bacteria, is presented for the first time and in the context of its known health benefits inside the colon. It is recommended that more investigations are carried out to maximize the health benefits of mucilage and ensure its safety, especially upon long-term usage.

Arabinoxylan and rhamnogalacturonan mucilage: Outgoing and potential trends of pharmaceutical, environmental, and medicinal merits

Demand for safe, environmentally friendly and minimally processed food additives with intrinsic technological (stabilizing, texturizing, structuring) and functional potential is already on the rise. There are actually several natural excipients eligible for pharmaceutical formulation. Mucilage, as a class constitutes arabinoxylan and rhamnogalacturonan-based biomolecules used in the pharmaceutical, environmental as well as phytoremediation industries owing to its particular structure and properties. These compounds are widely used in pharmaceutical, food and cosmetics, as well as, in agriculture, paper industries. This review emphasizes mucilage valuable applications in the pharmaceutical and industrial fields. In this context, much focus has recently been given to the valorization of mucilage as an ingredient for food or nutraceutical applications. Furthermore, different optimization and extraction techniques are presented to develop better utilization and/or enhanced yield of mucilage. The highlighted mucilage extraction methods warrant assessing up-scale processes to encourage for its industrial applications. The current article capitalizes on cutting-edge characteristics of mucilage and posing for other possible innovative applications in non-food industries. Here, the first holistic overview of mucilage with regards to its physicochemical properties and potential novel usages is presented.