Optimization of Ultrasound-Assisted Deep Eutectic Solvent Extraction, Characterization, and Bioactivities of Polysaccharide from Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae

The ultrasonic-assisted deep eutectic solvent method was used to extract the polysaccharides of Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae (PCRP), and the ultrasound-assisted DES extraction process was optimized by Box-Behnken response surface test using the extraction rate of the PCRP as an index; the in vitro activities of purified the PCRP(PCRPs-1) were investigated by determining the scavenging rate of DPPH• and ABTS• + as well as by enzyme inhibition assay. The monosaccharide composition was analyzed by HPLC. The best process conditions for response surface optimization were a material-liquid ratio of 1:37 g/mL, water content of 44%, time of 89 min, and power of 320 W. The polysaccharide extraction rate was measured to be 5.41%, which was well optimized when compared with that of the ordinary aqueous extraction method of 3.92%. By α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibition activity test, it showed that the PCRPs-1 had hypoglycemic activity. The DPPH radical scavenging activity test and ABTS + scavenging activity test indicated that the PCRPs-1 had good biological activity. Analysis of the monosaccharide fractions showed that the PCRPs-1 consisted of mannose, rhamnose, glucuronic acid, galacturonic acid, glucose, galactose, xylose, and arabinose, with molar ratios of 1:39.24:4.41:8.91:7.83:86.00:1.02:9.17. The activity studies showed that PCRPs-1 possessed certain hypoglycaemic and antioxidant activities.