Mucilaginous polysaccharides from vegetative parts of Bixa orellana L.: Their characterization and antioxidant potential.

The aim of this study was to extricate adhesive mucilaginous polysaccharides (MPS) from vegetative parts of Bixa orellana and furthermore to explore proximate analysis and antioxidant potentials. The ethanol precipitated mucilage concentrates of leaf holds 57.7% ± 3.2% moisture, 31.7 ± 1.61 g/100 g aggregate starch content, 23.6 ± 0.07 g/100 g reducing sugar content, 14.5 ± 2.0 g/100 g pentose content, 9.37 ± 0.56 g/100 g uronic acid substance, 10.6 ± 0.98 g/100 g total phenolic content, and 36.9 ± 0.52 mg/100 g total protein content. In contrasted with twigs, the leaves MPS demonstrated two folds increment in phenolic content. The sugar composition characteristics of MPS by gas liquid chromatography demonstrated a noteworthy content of xylose (163.5 ± 6.6 mg/100 g), mannose (17.2 ± 0.6 mg/100 g), and galactose (13.7 ± 0.4 mg/100 g) in leaf. The MPS extract of leaves exhibited a dose-dependent antioxidant activity and free radical scavenging ability. The data obtained in this study open a new avenue to further investigate the broad applications of these annatto dye yielding plant polysaccharides. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: The mucilaginous polysaccharides (MPS) from plant sources are being used for different applications in food, pharma, and cosmetic enterprises. Nowadays there is a developing enthusiasm for MPS for their dietary and medicinal advantages. Particularly dietary polysaccharides are known to evoke immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties. Here, we present the leaf and twig parts of Bixa orellana as rich sources of MPS, the MPS characterization and also antioxidant potential, which could substantiate B. orellana MPS as functional ingredients and furthermore in nourishment industry for expanding dairy foods consistency.