Analytical Characterization of an Inulin-Type Fructooligosaccharide from Root-Tubers of <i>Asphodelus</i><i>ramosus</i> L

Plant-based systems continue to play a pivotal role in healthcare, and their use has been extensively documented. <i>Asphodelus</i> L. is a genus comprising various herbaceous species, known by the trivial name Asphodelus. These plants have been known since antiquity for both food and th...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Valentina Noemi Madia, Daniela De Vita, Antonella Messore, Chiara Toniolo, Valeria Tudino, Alessandro De Leo, Ivano Pindinello, Davide Ialongo, Francesco Saccoliti, Anna Maria D’Ursi, Manuela Grimaldi, Pietro Ceccobelli, Luigi Scipione, Roberto Di Santo, Roberta Costi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2021-03-01
Series:Pharmaceuticals
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/14/3/278
Description
Summary:Plant-based systems continue to play a pivotal role in healthcare, and their use has been extensively documented. <i>Asphodelus</i> L. is a genus comprising various herbaceous species, known by the trivial name Asphodelus. These plants have been known since antiquity for both food and therapeutic uses, especially for treating several diseases associated with inflammatory and infectious skin disorders. Phytochemical studies revealed the presence of different constituents, mainly anthraquinones, triterpenoids, phenolic acids, and flavonoids. Although extensive literature has been published on these constituents, a paucity of information has been reported regarding the carbohydrate composition, such as fructans and fructan-like derivatives. The extraction of water-soluble neutral polysaccharides is commonly performed using water extraction, at times assisted by microwaves and ultrasounds. Herein, we reported the investigation of the alkaline extraction of root-tubers of <i>Asphodelus ramosus</i> L., analyzing the water-soluble polysaccharides obtained by precipitation from the alkaline extract and its subsequent purification by chromatography. A polysaccharide was isolated by alkaline extraction; the HPTLC study to determine its composition showed fructose as the main monosaccharide. FT-IR analysis showed the presence of an inulin-type structure, and NMR analyses allowed us to conclude that <i>A. ramosus</i> roots contain polysaccharide with an inulin-type fructooligosaccharide with a degree of polymerization of 7–8.
ISSN:1424-8247