Ultrasonic-assisted extraction of polysaccharides from coix seeds: Optimization, purification, and in vitro digestibility

To optimize the extraction of polysaccharides from coix seeds (CSP), an auxiliary method of ultrasound was developed by response surface methodology (RSM). The maximum extraction yield (8.340%) was obtained under 480 W power, 16 min ultrasound extraction (UE) time and 21.00 mL/g water to raw material ratio. Compared to hot water extraction (HE), UE-treated CSP led to a higher extraction efficiency and decreased average CSP molecular weight. FT-IR indicated that CSP extracted by UE and HE were neutral polysaccharides, and linkages between sugar units were mainly in the α-conformation. Furthermore, NMR spectra indicated that UE-treated CSP was a neutral polysaccharide with (1 → 6)-linked α-d-glucopyranose in the main chain. Two polysaccharide components (CSP-A and CSP-B) were purified by anion exchange chromatography, therein, CSP-A was more resistant to the digestion in stomach and intestine. These results suggest that CSP-A has the potential to be a functional agent utilized by gut microbes.