Polysaccharide extraction from Malva sylvestris and its anti-oxidant activity

The effects of extraction temperature, extraction time, the ratio of water to raw material, and number of extraction on extraction yield of crude polysaccharides from the leaves of Malva sylvestris (MSLCP) were optimized by statistical analysis using response surface methodology. The response surface methodology (RSM) was used to optimize MSLCP extraction yield by implementing the CCD design. The experimental data obtained were fitted to a second-order polynomial equation using multiple regression analysis and also analyzed by appropriate statistical methods (ANOVA). Statistical analysis of the results showed that the linear and quadratic terms of these four variables had significant effects. The optimal conditions for higher extraction yield of MSLCP were extraction temperature: 90 °C, extraction time: 4 h, number of extraction: 2 and the ratio of water to raw material: 21. Under these conditions, the experimental yield was 8.377 ± 0.38%, which is well in close agreement with the value predicted by the model 8.608%. The results demonstrated that MSLCP had strong scavenging activities in vitro on DPPH and hydroxyl radicals. Overall, MSLCP may have potential applications in the medical and food industries.