Abstract:

Objective: To explore the molecular weight of polysaccharides from Citrus reticulate Chachi peel extract and the
protective effect of crude and purified polysaccharides against oxidative injury in pheochromocytoma cells (PC12). Methods:
Polysaccharide was extracted from Citrus reticulate Chachi peel by different ethanol concentration gradients. The molecular
weight of purified polysaccharide fractions was measured. The protective effect on PC12 cells was explored with H2O2-
induced cellular oxidative damage model by the survival rate of the cells. Results: Polysaccharides with smaller molecular
weights were obtained by increasing the ethanol concentration and the average molecular weights (Mw) of polysaccharides
obtained at ethanol concentrations of 50%, 70% and 90% were 70259, 47433 u and 18743 u, respectively. Both crude
polysaccharides and purified polysaccharides after dialysis had antioxidant activity. Conclusion: The antioxidant activity of
Citrus reticulate Chachi peel extract shows obvious relationships with the molecular weight distribution of polysaccharides
or the presence of other molecules such as pigment and protein.

Key words: Citrus reticulate chachi peel extract, polysaccharide, molecular weight distribution, antioxidant activity