Extraction, optimization and characterization of crude polysaccharides from Artemesia Mongolica

In this study, the extraction conditions of polysaccharides of Artemisia mongolia (PAM) were optimized and their molecular weight, weight distribution, composition and antioxidant activities of the polysaccharides investigated. The degree of polymerization of fructan-oligosaccharides 2-8 was separated by thin layer chromatography (TLC) with good results. Polysaccharides were extracted from the leaves of A. mongolia and the effects of the extraction parameters (extraction temperature, extraction time and water to raw material ratio) were optimized under optimal extraction combinations. Based on the study, the maximum yield of polysaccharides (17.38%) was obtained at an extraction temperature of 76.90°C, extraction time of 1.33 h and water-to-raw material ratio of 4.00 ml/mg. The yield of polysaccharides was largely dependent on the extraction parameters. Four isolated fractions of the polysaccharides were further characterized using high-performance liquid chromatography. Using TLC analysis, the degree of polymerization of fructan-oligosaccharides 2-8 was successfully separated. High A. mongolia antioxidant polysaccharide with antioxidant activity of 351.3 sc/g was obtained at optimized incubation temperature of 70.37°C, extraction time of 1.45 h and water-to-raw material ratio of 2 ml/mg. Key words: Artemisia Mongolia, crude polysaccharide, antioxidant activity, response surface methodology, box-Behnken design