O-acetylation of low-molecular-weight polysaccharide from Enteromorpha linza with antioxidant activity

Polysaccharide extracted from green algae Enteromorpha linza (EP) is a sulfated polysaccharide, which possesses excellent antioxidant activities. In present study, the acetylated derivatives of low-molecular-weight polysaccharide (LEP) was prepared with the method of response surface quadratic model. And then the antioxidant activities of the derivatives were investigated including scavenging effects of superoxide and hydroxyl radicals. The results of chemical analysis and FT-IR spectrum showed the acetylation was successful. And in addition, certain derivative with different degree of substitution (DS) exhibited different antioxidant activity.