Structural characterization and prebiotic activity of polysaccharides from Suaeda glauca

Abstract Background Suaeda glauca , an edible halophyte, is rich in bioactive polysaccharides, yet its prebiotic properties remain unclear. Results In this study, using Suaeda glauca as the raw material, a water-soluble polysaccharide fraction J40 with a weight-average molecular weight of 11.55 kDa was obtained through hot water extraction followed by graded ethanol precipitation. J40 is a hybrid pectin composed of HG and RG-I structural regions, supplemented by complex arabinan side chains. In vitro simulated digestion and fermentation experiments, combined with 16S rRNA sequencing analysis, revealed that during the fermentation of J40, it can reduce the abundance of harmful bacteria. By specifically enriching minor bacterial genera such as Lactobacillales , Paraprevotella , and Lachnoclostridium , J40 exerts a beneficial regulatory effect on the structure of the intestinal microbiota. Conclusions This study provides a theoretical basis for the development of Suaeda glauca polysaccharides as intestinal microecological modulators in the fields of functional foods and pharmaceuticals. Graphical abstract