Sulphated modification of a polysaccharide obtained from fresh persimmon (Diospyros kaki L.) fruit and antioxidant activities of the sulphated derivatives

► Three sulphated polysaccharides with variable degrees of substitution were obtained. ► All of derivatives showed reducing power and scavenging free radical effect. ► PFP-SIII with the highest substitution of fraction was most efficient. ► The presence of sulphate groups could increase the antioxidant activities.