AUTHOR=Cai Jinlin , Liang Zijian , Li Jian , Manzoor Muhammad Faisal , Liu Hongsheng , Han Zhong , Zeng Xinan TITLE=Variation in physicochemical properties and bioactivities of Morinda citrifolia L. (Noni) polysaccharides at different stages of maturity JOURNAL=Frontiers in Nutrition VOLUME=Volume 9 - 2022 YEAR=2023 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/nutrition/articles/10.3389/fnut.2022.1094906 DOI=10.3389/fnut.2022.1094906 ISSN=2296-861X ABSTRACT=The present work aims to investigate the maturation-related changes in polysaccharides of Morinda citrifolia L. (Noni) at five stages of maturity. Results indicated the significant effect of fruit maturities on the extraction yields, molecular weights, uronic acid contents, sugar levels, monosaccharide concentrations and proportions, antioxidant capacities, and DNA protective effects of Noni polysaccharides. However, no fruit maturity stage had prominent impact on the sulfuric radical contents and preliminary structure characteristics. Noni polysaccharides extracted at stage 5 (N5) had the largest extraction yield, the highest sugar content and the most potent scavenging effect on DPPH and ABTS radicals. The stronger DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities of N5 might be contributed by its higher content of fucose and rhamnose and smaller molecular weight. Noni polysaccharides extracted at stage 4 (N4) showed the highest uronic acid content, and the superior performance in scavenging hydroxyl radicals and protecting DNA. The greater hydroxyl radical scavenging effect of N4 might be attributed to its higher percentage of the low molecular weight counterpart. Moreover, the DNA protective effects of N4 displayed a positive correlation with its hydroxyl radical scavenging ability. Overall, stage 4 and stage 5 could be ideal stages of fruit maturity aiming at high-quality Noni polysaccharides extraction. This study provided valuable information for the selection of suitable Noni polysaccharides to cater for various industrial applications.