Antioxidant activities potential of tea polysaccharide fractions obtained by ultra filtration

► Three polysaccharide fractions (TPS1, TPS2 and TPS3) were obtained using ultra filtration membranes from crude tea polysaccharide (CTPS) extracted from lower grade tea leaves. ► The molecular weights of TPS1, TPS2, and TPS3 were around 2.40 × 105 Da, 2.14 × 104 Da, and 2.46 × 103 Da, respectively. ► TPS1 and CTPS had stronger antioxidant activity, TPS2 and TPS3 had lower antioxidant activity. ► TPS1 had higher activity for DPPH and lipid per oxidation inhibition, but it had lower capacity for reducing power and metal chelating.