Extraction, structural characterization, biological activity and food applications of polysaccharides from Codonopsis...

Codonopsis pilosula (Franch.) Nannf. has been used as a medicinal herb in China for thousands of years and possesses significant nutritional and medicinal value. C. pilosula was officially included in the national list of medicine-food homology in 2023, indicating its great potential in the food industry. Codonopsis pilosula polysaccharides (CPPs) are one of the primary bioactive components of C. pilosula and have garnered increasing interest due to their wide range of biological activities. This review summarizes the latest advancements in the extraction and purification of CPPs over the past five years, providing a critical evaluation of both traditional and new methods. It also conducts in-depth research on the structural characterization of CPPs, clarifying the relationship among monosaccharide composition, glycosidic bonds, molecular weight and advanced conformational characteristics. Furthermore, the biological activities and pharmacokinetics of CPPs are reviewed, along with their potential applications in the food industry. This review lays the groundwork for drug development and food industry applications.