Reduced-molecular-weight derivatives of frost grape polysaccharide

Authors: Leathers, Timothy; Price, Neil; Vaughn, Steven; Nunnally, Melinda

Submitted to: International Journal of Biological Macromolecules
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/23/2017
Publication Date: 12/1/2017
Citation: Leathers, T.D., Price, N.P.J., Vaughn, S.F., Nunnally, M.S. 2017. Reduced-molecular-weight derivatives of frost grape polysaccharide. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules. 105:1166-1170. doi: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2017.07.143.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2017.07.143

Interpretive Summary: In this research, novel derivatives of the biopolymer, frost grape polysaccharide, are reported. Utilization of agricultural residues such as frost grape polysaccharide could provide new value-added products with food and prebiotic applications. We discovered methods to modify the physical properties of frost grape polysaccharide. This work will be valuable to researchers developing new value-added bioproducts from biomass resources.

Technical Abstract: A new Type II arabinogalactan was recently described as an abundant gum exudate from stems of wildfrost grape (Vitus riparia Michx.). The purpose of the current study is to more thoroughly characterize the physical properties of this frost grape polysaccharide (FGP), and develop methods to modify the molecular weight of FGP for potential new applications. Specifically, native FGP was modified by heat treatment, digestion with the enzyme L-arabinosidase, and ultrasonication. Results showed that native FGP was progressively and irreversibly denatured by heat treatment, while the polymer remained largely resistant to enzymatic digestion. However, ultrasonication reduced the molecular weight of FGP from 1.6 × 107Da to about 3.0 × 105Da. Reduced-molecular-weight FGP exhibited modified solution viscosity properties, which could be useful in food and prebiotic applications.