Characterization and Biological Activities of Protein-Bound Polysaccharides Produced by Cultures of Pleurotus ostreatus

Several species of mushrooms, as Pleurotus ostreatus, have been valued as edible and medicinal resources. These mushrooms may be an important source of polysaccharides with medicinal properties as antioxidant, antitumoral, antimicrobial and immunological properties. The aim of this work was to produce and to evaluate the biological properties of protein-bound polysaccharide complexes, extra intracellular （E-PPS and I-PPS）, extracted from P. ostreatus cultures, using agricultural sunflower wastes as carbon source. Three main compounds in the E-PPS and four main compounds in the I-PPS were identified by SEC-UV-RI-HPLC. These complexes of P. ostreatus present no toxicity in Artemia salina cultures, after 24 h of incubation. Antioxidant properties of the complexes were evaluated by radical scavenging activity using DPPH method and lipid peroxidation inhibition capacity, determined by erytbsocytes hemolysis. Additionally, E-PPS and I-PPS extracts revealed capacity to mimetize superoxide dismutase and catalase enzymatic activities. The hepatoprotector effect of E-PPS extracts in Wistar rats was evaluated by AST, ALT, ALP and y-GT activities, showing capacity to reduce the liver damage induced by ethanol-administration. This hepatoprotective effect is equivalent to that observed by silymarin, a standard drug. Our results suggests that the extracts of E-PPS and I-PPS produced by P. ostreatus cultures, using agricultural sunflower wastes as main carbon source, can be used as an important source of bioactive compounds with potential medicinal value.

New insights into protein–polysaccharide complex coacervation:Dynamics,molecular parameters,and applications

For more than a decade,the discovery of liquid–liquid phase separation within living organisms has prompted colloid scientists to understand the connection between coacervate functionality,phase behavior,and dynamics at a multidisciplinary level.Although the protein–polysaccharide was the first system in which the coacervation phenomenon was discovered and is widely used in food systems,the phase state and relaxation dynamics of protein–polysaccharide complex coacervates(PPCC)have rarely been discussed previously.Consequently,this review aims to unravel the relationship between PPCC dynamics,thermodynamics,molecular architecture,applications,and phase states in past studies.Looking ahead,solving the way molecular architecture spreads to macro-functionality,that is,establishing the relationship between molecular architecture–dynamics–application,will catalyze novel advancements in PPCC research within the field of foods and biomaterials.