Extraction, derivatization and antioxidant activity of bitter gourd polysaccharide

The effect of derivatization on the antioxidant activity of bitter gourd polysaccharide was investigated. Bitter gourd polysaccharide (P) was prepared with hot water. Carboxymethylated bitter gourd polysaccharide (CM-P) and acetylated bitter gourd polysaccharide (AcP) were successfully prepared, which were identified by IR and NMR spectra. On this basis, the antioxidant activities of three polysaccharides were tested, including hydroxyl radical scavenging capacity, DPPH radical scavenging capacity, and anti-lipid peroxidation capacity. The results showed that different chemical modifications had different enhancement on the antioxidant activities of bitter gourd polysaccharide. So, bitter gourd polysaccharide could be used to develop potential antioxidants.