Abstract:

Crude polysaccharides (MCP) were extracted from dried fruits of Momordica charantia L. through sequential steps of hot water extraction, ethanol precipitation and Sevag protein removal and purified/fractionated by DEAE-cellulose-52 exchange chromatography to obtain four fractions (MCP-A, MCP-B, MCP-C and MCP-D). MCP-A1 with high purity was obtained through further purification of MCP-A by Superdex G-100 gel filtration chromatography and its purity was identified by high performance gel permeation chromatography (HPGPC). Results indicated MCP-A1 was a homogeneous polysaccharide with average molecular weight of 93577 D. Qualitative chemical reaction showed that MCP-A1 was a neutral polysaccharide that contained uronic acid, rather than proteins, nucleic acids and starch. Typical absorption peaks of this polysaccharide were also observed in infrared (IR) spectrum.

Key words: Momordica charantia L., polysaccharide, isolation, purification, characterization