Preparation, physicochemical property and in vitro antioxidant activity of zinc-Hohenbuehelia serotina polysaccharides complex

Zinc deficiency in human body gradually becomes a critical challenge to public health in modern society. Therefore, the purpose of the study was to prepare zinc-Hohenbuehelia serotina polysaccharides (HSP) complex, analyze the physicochemical properties and investigate in vitro antioxidant activity of zinc-HSP complex. The results of atomic absorption spectrometric (AAS) and energy dispersive spectrum (EDS) analyses confirmed that zinc was successfully bound to HSP. The prepared zinc-HSP complex was a semi-crystalline substance, with compact and smooth morphology and triple-helix spatial structure. It possessed well swelling property and low moisture content. Antioxidant results suggested zinc-HSP complex possessed the significant inhibitory effects against hydroxyl, ABTS and superoxide anion radicals in vitro as HSP did, which further indicated that conjunction of zinc did not change the biological activity of HSP. The present study provides a theoretical basis for application of organozinc complex in functional food field.