Effects of ultrasound-assisted Fenton treatment on structure and hypolipidemic activity of apricot polysaccharides

In order to improve the hypolipidemic activity of apricot polysaccharide, the methods of modifying polysaccharide were preliminarily screened, and the modification process conditions were further optimized by response surface methodology. Subsequently, the structure characterization and hypolipidemic activity of polysaccharide obtained by ultrasound-assisted Fenton treatment (EAP-UF) were studied. The results of Box-Behnken design indicated that under the optimal conditions of ultrasound-assisted Fenton degradation, the binding rate of sodium taurocholate and sodium glycocholate were 62.10% and 59.87%, respectively. Furthermore, the molecular weight, particle size, PDI value and roughness of EAP-UF decreased obviously, while the contents of hydroxyl, carbonyl carboxyl and rhamnose increased obviously. What's more, EAP-UF could significantly reduce the content of fat accumulation, triglyceride and total cholesterol in Caenorhabditis elegans. Taken together, ultrasound-assisted Fenton treatment is an effective method to enhance the hypolipidemic activity of polysaccharides.