Structural characteristics and intestinal immunity of Codonopsis pilosula polysaccharides prepared by electrolytic water

Codonopsis pilosula polysaccharides (CPPs) have shown diverse bioactivities, while the effects of solvent potentials on structure characteristics and intestinal immunity remain unexplored. In this study, CPPs were prepared by electrolytic water under different pH values named CPP2, CPP7 and CPP12, and the structural characteristics, gut microbiota mediated immunomodulatory functions were investigated. Results revealed that the CPP2 and CPP12 exhibited enhanced hydrophobicity and reduced average molecular weights compared with CPP7, CPP2 demonstrated increased branching degrees, while CPP12 showed elevated levels of galacturonic acid and mannose contents. Besides, the inhibitory rates of CPP12, CPP7, CPP2 on solid tumors were 59.52 %, 51.63 % and 33.17 %, respectively, which was positively correlated with CD4 + T cells proportions in peripheral blood. Compared with the model group, the significantly upregulated strains in CPP12, CPP7, CPP2 groups were Lactobacillus , unclassified Lachnospiraceae , Alloprevotella , and associated metabolic pathways were α-linolenic acid metabolism, histidine metabolism, and tyrosine metabolism, respectively. These findings can provide theoretical basis and data supports for CPPs applications in functional food industry. • Codonopsis pilosula polysaccharides (CPP2/7/12) were obtained by ionized water. • CPP12 showed elevated levels of galacturonic acid and mannose contents. • CPP12 demonstrated the strongest antitumor and immunomodulatory activities. • CPP12 enhanced the Lactobacillus mediated the α-linolenic acid metabolism.