Abstract:

A polysaccharide-rich extract was obtained from Herba Moslae by hot water extraction and purified by fractional precipitation with gradient concentrations of ethanol (20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60% and 70%). The separated fractions were deproteinized by Sevag method and six purified polysaccharide fractions, named HMP-1 through 6 were obtained. These fractions were subjected to UV-visible spectral analysis, the determination of sugar, soluble protein and uronic acid contents and monosaccharide composition analysis by gas chromatography (GC). Each of these fractions was an acidic polysaccharide, with high protein content. Arabinose and glucose were the main monosaccharides in HMP-1 and HMP-2, arabinose, glucose, galactose and ribose were the main monosaccharides in HMP-3, arabinose, glucose and galactose were the main monosaccharides in HMP-4, and arabinose, glucose, galactose and mannose were the main monosaccharides in HMP-5 and HMP-6. In addition, small amounts of rhamnose and xylose were also detected in each of the six fractions.

Key words: polysaccharides from Herba Moslae, ethanol fractional precipitation, physico-chemical properties, spectral properties, monosaccharide composition