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Improved Growth of Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus as well as Increased Antioxidant Activity by Biotransforming Litchi Pericarp Polysaccharide with Aspergillus awamori
BioMed Research International
  • Sen Lin, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences
  • Lingrong Wen, South China University of Technology
  • Bao Yang, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences
  • Guoxiang Jiang, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences
  • John Shi, Guelph Food Research Center, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
  • Feng Chen, Clemson University
  • Yueming Jiang, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2013
Publisher
Hindawi Publishing
Disciplines
Abstract

This study was conducted to increase the bioactivity of litchi pericarp polysaccharides (LPPs) biotransformed by Aspergillus awamori. Compared to the non-A. awamori-fermented LPP, the growth effects of A. awamori-fermented LPP on Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus were four and two times higher after 3 days of fermentation, respectively. Increased 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity and DNA protection activity of litchi pericarp polysaccharides were also achieved after A. awamori fermentation. Moreover, the relative content of glucose and arabinose in LPP after fermentation decreased from 58.82% to 22.60% and from 18.82% to 10.09%, respectively, with a concomitant increase in the relative contents of galactose, rhamnose, xylose, and mannose. Furthermore, lower molecular weight polysaccharides were obtained after A. awamori fermentation. It can be concluded that A. awamori was effective in biotransforming LPP into a bioactive mixture with lower molecular weight polysaccharides and higher antioxidant activity and relative galactose content.

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