Polysaccharide

Nanotechnology

Organic chemistry

Hydrodynamic radius

Cordyceps

Ethanol precipitation

Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy

Stereochemistry

Dynamic light scattering

Nanoparticle

Copolymer

Chemistry

Materials science

Glucan

Food science

Chromatography

Polymer

Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry

Water-soluble β-d-glucan was obtained from wild Cordyceps sinensis by alkali solution and ethanol precipitation. The structure characteristics were determined using high-performance anion-exchange chromatography coupled with pulsed amperometric detection (HPAEC–PAD), methylation combined with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, and one-/two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Results showed that β-d-glucan had a structure of every seven (1→3)-β-d-Glcp backbone residues with two (1→6)-β-d-Glcp branches. Additionally, conformation properties in different solvents were investigated by static light scattering, dynamic light scattering, and HPSEC with multiple detectors. It was found that β-d-glucan in 0.5 M NaOH had a narrow unimodal distribution of hydrodynamic radius displaying a spherical coil conformation, whereas it formed severe aggregation in dimethyl sulfoxide. In 0.1 M NaNO3, β-d-glucan mainly existed as a rod-like conformation corresponding to a helical structure together with small aggregates (10%). This work added more information to the understanding of C. sinensis polysaccharides.

Structural Characterization and Chain Conformation of Water-Soluble β-Glucan from Wild <i>Cordyceps sinensis</i>

Structural Characterization and Chain Conformation of Water-Soluble β-Glucan from Wild Cordyceps sinensis