Review of the structural characterization, quality evaluation, and industrial application of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides

High-performance anion-exchange chromatography coupled with pulsed amperometric detection is one of the most effective techniques for analysis of both acidic and neutral LBPs. Size-exclusion chromatography coupled with multi-angle laser light scattering and refractive index detection is able to determine absolute molecular weights, chain conformations, and contents of LBPs. Fingerprinting analysis and saccharide mapping analysis are effective approaches for quality evaluation of LBPs. However, the lack of appropriate quality evaluation approaches indicates an unreliable regulation of LBPs and their related products. This reveals the deficiency in the quality control of commercial products. Thus, the development of reliable approaches for pharmacological activity-based quality control of LBPs and their related products must be extensively investigated.