Assessing high-temperature and pressure extraction of bioactive water-soluble polysaccharides from passion fruit mesocarp

Author(s)

Pedrosa, Lucas de Freitas ; Kouzounis, Dimitrios ; Schols, Henk ; de Vos, Paul ; Fabi, Joao Paulo

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Carbohydrate Polymers; v. 335, p. 16-pg., 2024-03-27.

Abstract

The mesocarp (albedo) of passion fruit is considered a waste product but rich in soluble fibers, especially pectins. Biological activity and health benefits of pectins have recently emerged, especially in colorectal cancer and attenuating inflammation. Pectin conventional extraction often uses mineral acids, which can be hazardous to the environment, and alternatives can be costly. Here, we assessed a high-temperature and pressure method to extract pectin from the passion fruit albedo and evaluated the differences from the water-soluble fractions extracted. HPSEC, HPAEC, FTIR-ATR, and HSQC-NMR were performed to identify and confirm the highly methylated homogalacturonan structures. The heat-modified samples showed a decreased molecular size compared to the untreated sample. Colorectal cancer cell lines showed reduced viability after being treated with different doses of modified samples, with two of them, LW-MP3 and 4, showing the most potent effects. All samples were detected inside cells by immunofluorescence assay. It was observed that LW-MP3 and 4 upregulated the p53 protein, indicating cell-cycle arrest and the cleaved caspase-9 in one of the cell lines, with LW-MP4 enhancing cell death by apoptosis. Since the modified samples were composed of hydrolyzed homogalacturonans, those probably were the responsible structures for these anti-cancer effects. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 13/07914-8 - FoRC - Food Research Center
• Grantee: Bernadette Dora Gombossy de Melo Franco
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Research, Innovation and Dissemination Centers - RIDC
• FAPESP's process: 20/08063-5 - Study of the biological effects of modified passion fruit pectins using in vitro and in vivo models of Colon Carcinogenesis
• Grantee: Lucas de Freitas Pedrosa
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)
• FAPESP's process: 22/12834-2 - Effects of modified pectins on gut health: pre-clinical and clinical studies to assess cellular, transcriptional, and epigenetic effects
• Grantee: Joao Paulo Fabi
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants