Carboxymethylation of polysaccharides from Tremella fuciformis for antioxidant and moisture-preserving activities.

The carboxymethylated polysaccharide (CATP), which derived from water-insoluble crude Tremella fuciformis polysaccharide (ATP), was prepared. And then the antioxidant and moisture-preserving activities of the samples were investigated. The results of chemical composition and FT-IR analysis showed the carboxymethylated modifications of polysaccharide were successful. The degree of substitution (DS) of four carboxymethylated derivatives were different with the molar of monochloroacetic acid. Their water solubility and biological activities were improved with the increase of DS. And moreover, a high antioxidant and moisture-preserving activities of CATPs was observed, so this derivative needs to be attention and studied in further. Results proved that the carboxymethylation could effectively enhance their potential biological properties of the polysaccharide.