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Handroanthus albus , commonly known as yellow ipê , is a native and widely distributed tree in Brazil. An aqueous soluble polysaccharide fraction (HASP) was obtained from its leaves, and monosaccharide composition, glycosidic linkage analysis by methylation and NMR spectroscopy indicated that HASP is mainly composed of a type II arabinogalactan, and suggested that other polysaccharides could also be present in a smaller proportion. HASP was able to promote antinociception in formalin-induced (second phase) and on glutamate-induced nociception tests, besides reducing the number of abdominal contortions induced by acetic acid in mice. Moreover, HASP reduced acetic acid-induced leukocyte infiltration in the peritoneal cavity and showed anti-edematogenic activity, decreasing mechanical allodynia and myeloperoxidase activity in the carrageenan-induced paw edema model. These results showed that the polysaccharide fraction HASP from H. albus leaves has interesting antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lemon gum (LG) obtained from Citrus × latifolia in Brazil was isolated and characterized. In addition, gum biocompatibility was evaluated in vitro and in vivo by Galleria mellonella and mice model. The cytotoxicity against tumor cells was also evaluated. The ratio of arabinose:galactose: rhamnose:4-OMe-glucuronic acid was 1:0.65:0.06:0.15. Small traces of protein were detected, emphasizing the isolate purity. Molar mass was 8.08 × 105 g/mol, with three different degradation events. LG showed antiproliferative activity against human prostate adenocarcinoma cancer cells, with percentage superior to 50 %. In vivo toxicity models demonstrated that LG is biocompatible polymer, with little difference in the parameters compared to control group. These results demonstrate advance in the study of LG composition and toxicity, indicating a potential for several biomedical and biotechnological future applications. [Display omitted] • Lemon gum (LG) obtained from Citrus × latifolia in Brazil. • LG is a arabinogalactan with more selective cytotoxicity for PC3 cells. • LG is non-toxic in Galleria mellonella and in Swiss mice. • LG is a promising polymer for biomedical and biotechnological applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Brazilian cacti produce mucilages and are sources of protein and calcium. • Cacti mucilages have excellent emulsifying and foaming properties. • Mucilages of Brazilian cacti are mainly composed of galactose and arabinose, exhibiting an arabinogalactan structure. Brazilian cacti have the high potential to be used as a source of mucilages with different technological functions that can be widely explored. The physicochemical, structural and technological properties of mucilages extracted from seven cladodes of cacti native from the semi-arid region of the Brazil were investigated. The mucilages exhibited high yields (8.9 to 21.54%), high contents of carbohydrates (39.77 to 87.68%), proteins (4.27 to 14.76%), and minerals, specifically Ca (2.90 to 15.65%). All species evaluated presented a diverse monosaccharide composition, mainly constituted of galactose and arabinose, suggesting the presence of arabinogalactans as the main polysaccharides. Both showed peaks and bands characteristic of polysaccharides with semi-crystalline structure (14.50–38.60%), due to the high concentration of calcium. From the results, mucilages functional properties showed good water and oil retention capacities and a high emulsification capacity (100%) with stability above 83%. Foaming capacity was above 58% with stability greater than 95%. This study highlights the potential of using cacti as a source of functional mucilages for use in food applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cashew tree (Anacardium occidentale) is a tropical evergreen tree largely cultivated in Brazil, which produces the cashew apple, a peduncle rich in carbohydrates and considered an industrial waste of the nut production. Until now, there were no data available about the chemical structure of cell wall polysaccharides found in cashew apple. In this work, its pectic polysaccharides have been characterized through monosaccharide composition, HPSEC, methylation and 13C and 1H/13C HSQC-DEPT-NMR analyses. Highly methyl esterified homogalacturonan with a DE of 76% mixed with arabinogalactan were found. This latter was purified and presented a highly branched type II arabinogalactan (AG II) and small amounts of a type I rhamnogalacturonan in which the AG II could be anchored. These findings about the chemical structure of cashew apple pectins could contribute to develop future nutritional, biotechnological and pharmacological uses for this industrial waste from the cashew nut production. Image 1 • Pectins have been extracted and chemically characterized from cashew apple. • Highly methyl esterified (DE = 76%) homogalacturonan was found. • A highly branched type II arabinogalactan was also observed. • It is the first study about cashew apple pectins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]