Ultrasonic-assisted enzymatic extraction of a water soluble polysaccharide from dragon fruit peel and its antioxidant activity

A novel water soluble polysaccharide from dragon fruit peel named DFPWSP-1 was isolated and purified and chemical analysis was performed. The results indicated that DFPWSP-1, with an average molecular weight of 2.98 × 10(2) kDa, mainly contained galacturonic acid, glucose and galactose. Then, a Box–Behnken design (BBD) was employed to optimize the ultrasonic-assisted enzymatic extraction (UAEE) of DFPWSP-1. The optimal extraction conditions for the maximum yield of DFPWSP-1 were a cellulase volume of 104 U, an enzymolysis time of 2.06 h, an ultrasonication power of 105 W and a ratio of solution to sample of 8.5 mL g(−1). Under these conditions, the extraction yield of DFPWSP-1 was 20.28%. Furthermore, the polysaccharide DFPWSP-1 exhibited a significant scavenging activity of 2-diphenyl-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical, superoxide anion and hydroxyl radical. DFPWSP-1 may be a potential natural antioxidant in the food industry.