Extraction, characteristics and activities of polysaccharides from Lycium barbarum

Lycium barbarum has the characteristics of homology of food and medicine. Lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP) is a natural plant polysaccharide isolated from Lycium barbarum fruit and one of the key bioactive substances in Lycium barbarum. According to the latest scientific research, Lycium barbarum polysaccharide shows a wide range of biological effects, including anti-tumor, anti-oxidation, anti-inflammatory, regulating blood sugar, neuroprotection, reproductive protection, liver protection and so on, and it has good application potential and value in food, health care and medicine and other related fields. Ultrasonic extraction of Lycium barbarum polysaccharide is an efficient and energy-saving modern extraction technology. Its core principle is to use the cavitation effect, mechanical effect and thermal effect of ultrasonic to destroy plant cell walls and accelerate the dissolution of polysaccharide. Herein, the extraction technology, structural characteristics and activities of Lycium barbarum polysaccharide were systematically reviewed. The advantages and limitations of the existing technology were summarized in order to provide feasible reference for the standardization, standardization, scientific development and application of Lycium barbarum polysaccharide. However, we must overcome the bottlenecks in structural analysis, standardized production and clinical translation. Strengthening interdisciplinary and international cooperation will promote the transformation from basic research to industrial application, thus establishing a comprehensive and high-quality Lycium barbarum polysaccharide industrial chain and making contributions to human health.