The relationship between polysaccharide structure and its antioxidant activity needs to be systematically elucidated.

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Natural Product Chemistry

Background:

• Polysaccharides exhibit significant antioxidant properties, crucial for various applications.
• Skepticism exists regarding polysaccharide antioxidant activity due to issues with purity and structural elucidation.
• A systematic review of structure-activity relationships (SAR) for antioxidant polysaccharides is needed.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically elucidate the SAR of antioxidant polysaccharides.
• To provide a scientific foundation for the development and application of polysaccharides.
• To critically discuss factors influencing antioxidant activity and identify research gaps.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on polysaccharide antioxidant activity and chemical structures.
• Analysis of SAR based on molecular weight, monosaccharide composition, glycosidic linkage, branching, conformation, and chemical modification.
• Utilizing histograms, radar maps, principal component analysis, and cluster analysis to visualize and analyze SAR.
• Critical discussion of polysaccharide sources and chemical modifications.

Main Results:

• Polysaccharide antioxidant activity is directly influenced by specific structural features.
• Histograms and radar maps visually represent the relationship between polysaccharide structure and antioxidant capacity.
• Principal component and cluster analyses offer further insights into SAR patterns.
• Source, chemical structure, and modifications significantly impact antioxidant potential.

Conclusions:

• A clear link exists between the chemical structure of polysaccharides and their antioxidant activity.
• This review establishes a theoretical basis for understanding and developing antioxidant polysaccharides.
• Future research should focus on further elucidating SAR and exploring novel natural antioxidants.