Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 5, 2026
10:03
Comparative Study on the Polysaccharide Contents and Antioxidant Activities of Hippophae rhamnoides subsp. sinensis and Hippophae gyantsensis
Published on: August 15, 2025
Protein-Rich Uronic Acid-Containing Polysaccharides from Juglans regia Root Bark: Structural Characterization and
Souha Chokri1,2, Takoua Ben Attia3, Asma Haffouz4
1Laboratory of Biotechnology and Biogeoresources Valorization, Higher Institute of Biotechnology of Sidi Thabet (ISBST), LR11ES31, Ariana 2020, Tunisia.
Polymers
|July 28, 2026
Summary
A novel protein-polysaccharide complex (JrPRP) from Juglans regia root bark shows significant antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties. This discovery highlights a new source of bioactive biopolymers for potential biomedical applications.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Biopolymer Science
- Natural Product Chemistry
Background:
- Protein-rich polysaccharides are recognized for their biomedical potential.
- Juglans regia (walnut) root bark is an underexplored source of bioactive compounds.
Purpose of the Study:
- To isolate and characterize a novel protein-polysaccharide complex (JrPRP) from Juglans regia root bark.
- To evaluate the multifunctional biological activities of JrPRP.
Main Methods:
- Isolation and yield determination of JrPRP.
- Spectroscopic (FTIR, UV-Vis) and chromatographic (TLC, HPLC) analyses.
- Scanning electron microscopy for microstructure analysis.
- In vitro assays for antioxidant, antibacterial, antibiofilm, anticoagulant, and anti-inflammatory activities.
- Biocompatibility assessment (hemolytic activity).
Main Results:
- JrPRP was isolated with a 4.7% yield, characterized by acidic composition, uronic acids, and minor neutral sugars.
- Spectroscopic and chromatographic data confirmed its protein-polysaccharide nature and heterogeneity.
- JrPRP exhibited significant antioxidant, antibacterial (against P. aeruginosa, K. pneumoniae, S. aureus), and antibiofilm (up to 94% inhibition of E. coli) activities.
- The complex demonstrated moderate anticoagulant and strong anti-inflammatory effects (98% protein denaturation inhibition), with low hemolytic activity.
Conclusions:
- Juglans regia root bark is a valuable source of unique uronic acid-containing protein-rich polysaccharides.
- JrPRP possesses diverse biological activities, suggesting potential for biomedical applications.
- The study provides insights into structure-activity relationships of these biopolymers.
Keywords:
Juglans regia root barkanionic biopolymersbioactive polysaccharidesprotein-rich polysaccharidesstructure–bioactivity relationshipsuronic acid-containing rich polysaccharidesMore Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:23Glycosaminoglycans
Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), also known as mucopolysaccharides, are long and linear polymers comprising of specific repeating disaccharides - the amino sugar that can be N-acetylglucosamine or N-acetylgalactosamine, and a uronic acid that is usually glucuronic acid or iduronic acid.
GAGS are found in the extracellular matrix of vertebrates, invertebrates, and bacteria. Due to their polar nature they attract water, and serve as excellent lubricants or shock absorbers in an animal body.
Hyaluronic...
GAGS are found in the extracellular matrix of vertebrates, invertebrates, and bacteria. Due to their polar nature they attract water, and serve as excellent lubricants or shock absorbers in an animal body.
Hyaluronic...
01:15Cellulose and Pectic Polysaccharides
Every plant cell has a cell wall that protects the cell, provides structural support, and gives the cell shape. Cellulose, the main structural component of the plant cell wall, makes up over 30% of plant matter. It is the most abundant organic compound on earth. Cellulose is an unbranched polysaccharide composed of linear chains of glucose molecules linked by β (1→4) glycosidic bonds.
As a cell matures, its cell wall specializes according to its type. For example, the parenchyma cells of...
As a cell matures, its cell wall specializes according to its type. For example, the parenchyma cells of...
01:05Proteoglycans
Glycans, a class of complex heterogeneous molecules, can be covalently attached to proteins to form glycosylated proteins that regulate various physiological and pathological processes. Glycosylated proteins or glycoproteins comprise N-linked and O-linked oligosaccharides. O-glycosylation is the most common type of protein glycosylation. Here, glycans attach to the oxygen atom of the hydroxyl groups of Serine or Threonine residues. O-linked glycosylation occurs later in protein processing,...
03:25Chemistry of Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates are an essential part of the diet in humans and animals. Grains, fruits, and vegetables are natural sources of carbohydrates that provide energy to the body, particularly through glucose, a simple sugar that is a component of starch and an ingredient in many staple foods. The stoichiometric formula (CH2O)n, where n is the number of carbons in the molecule represents carbohydrates. In other words, the ratio of carbon to hydrogen to oxygen is 1:2:1 in carbohydrate molecules. This...
01:26Biosynthesis of Polysaccharides
Polysaccharides such as glycogen and starch are synthesized from nucleoside diphosphate sugars, primarily uridine diphosphate glucose (UDPG) and adenosine diphosphate glucose (ADPG). These activated glucose donors act as key intermediates in carbohydrate metabolism and biosynthesis. UDPG primarily involves glycogen synthesis in animals and many bacteria, while ADPG plays a fundamental role in starch synthesis in plants and certain bacteria.UDPG is formed when glucose-1-phosphate reacts with...
01:24Oligosaccharide Assembly
Protein glycosylation starts in the ER lumen and continues in the Golgi apparatus. Glycosyltransferases catalyze the addition of sugar molecules or glycosylation of proteins. Usually, these enzymes add sugars to the hydroxyl groups of selected serine or threonine residues to form O-linked glycans or the amino groups of asparagine residues to form N-linked glycans. Different positions on the same polypeptide chain can contain differently linked glycans.
Multiple sugar molecules that may or may...
Multiple sugar molecules that may or may...