Primary Characterization and In Vitro Antioxidant Activities of Polysaccharides from Yam Peel

The research purpose is to make full use of yam peel resources. In this present study, yam peel polysaccharide (YPP) was isolated from the Dioscorea esculenta peels. The primary characterization of YPP was explored, and we carried on the in vitro antioxidant experiment research. The FT-IR analysis was performed. And the absorptions at around 1,148 cm−1 indicated a pyranose form of sugars. In vitro, YPP exhibited a potent scavenging activity on the hydroxyl radical, DPPH radical and superoxide radical, especially scavenging activity for DPPH radicals. The IC50 value of YPP for eliminating hydroxyl radicals, DPPH radical, and superoxide anion radicals was respectively 9.5, 2.1, and 10.2 mg/ml. And the highest inhibition rates were, respectively, 60.2, 79.3, and 54.0 %. In this experiment, antioxidation test in vitro indicated that YPP was similar to other yam tuber polysaccharides. Furthermore, the further works on purification and isolation studies were done and the primary characterization of YPP were shown by chromatography. In general, these results suggested that the YPP may be explored as a novel and effective natural antioxidant to alleviate oxidative stress, and they may find promising applications as potent antioxidant agents and antiaging medicines.