Extraction optimization, structure characterization and In vitro antioxidant activity of polysaccharides from <i>Chuju, a cultivar of Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat</i>

In this study, a novel polysaccharide (CCPs) was prepared from <i>Chuju, a cultivar of Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat,</i> and its structure characterisation, <i>in vitro</i> antioxidant activity were explored. The effects of extraction temperature, solid-to-liquid ratio and extraction time on the yield of CCPs were investigated by complete randomised design and then the Box-Behnken experimental design was used to optimise the process of hot water extraction of CCPs. The results indicated that the yield of CCPs reached 22.375% under the optimal extraction conditions. Subsequently, the CCPs were further purified through deproteinization and column chromatography, yielding CCPs-1. The results of structural characterisation revealed that CCPs-1 is an α-type pyranosylated acidic heteropolysaccharide with a triple helix structure, primarily composed of galactose and galacturonic acid. And CCPs-1 have low crystallinity and multi-cluster microstructure. Furthermore, the results of <i>in vitro</i> antioxidant activity suggested that CCPs-1 possesses favourable bioactivity. Thus, CCPs-1 could have potential applications as natural antioxidants in the fields of food and medicine.