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Updated: Jun 19, 2026
Comprehensive Compositional Analysis of Plant Cell Walls Lignocellulosic biomass Part II: Carbohydrates
Published on: March 12, 2010
Plant-Derived Polysaccharide Ultrafast Purification Reinvented: A Green Aqueous Two-Phase System with Deep Eutectic
Jinxia Hu1, Yu Cao1, Duolong Di1
1CAS Key Laboratory of Chemistry of Northwestern Plant Resources and Key Laboratory for Natural Medicine of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China.
A novel deep eutectic solvent-based system rapidly purifies plant-derived polysaccharides (PDPs) by removing protein and pigment impurities in seconds. This green method preserves PDP structure and function, offering a universal alternative to traditional techniques.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Green Chemistry
- Materials Science
Background:
- Plant-derived polysaccharides (PDPs) characterization is challenging due to protein and pigment impurities.
- Conventional purification methods are slow, environmentally harmful, and can damage polysaccharide structures.
- A universal, efficient method for simultaneous deproteinization and decolorization of PDPs is needed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a rapid, green, and effective purification system for plant-derived polysaccharides.
- To utilize a deep eutectic solvent-based aqueous two-phase system (ATPS@DES) for simultaneous impurity removal.
- To validate the method's efficiency, mildness, and broad applicability.
Main Methods:
- Development of an ATPS@DES for purifying Lycium barbarum L. polysaccharides (LBPs).
- Concurrent deproteinization and decolorization within 10 seconds.
- Pigment removal mechanism elucidated using quantum chemical (QC) calculations.
- Physicochemical characterization and bioactivity assays of purified LBPs.
- Validation of the method across 10 additional PDPs.
Main Results:
- The ATPS@DES achieved >94% deproteinization and decolorization efficiencies in 10 seconds.
- Polysaccharide retention was maintained above 77%.
- Purified LBPs retained structural integrity and biological functions.
- The method demonstrated universality across multiple PDPs.
- Quantum chemical calculations provided insight into the pigment removal mechanism.
Conclusions:
- ATPS@DES offers an ultrafast, highly efficient, and green purification platform for PDPs.
- The method is mild, reliable, and preserves the structural and functional integrity of polysaccharides.
- This approach presents a promising alternative to conventional multistep purification strategies.
- The developed system shows broad applicability for various plant-derived polysaccharides.
