Bioactive Polysaccharides from Tomato

Recent studies concerning the isolation and purification of exopolysaccharides from suspension-cultured cells of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L. var San Marzano) and the description of a simple and rapid method with low environmental impact to obtain polysaccharides from solid wastes of tomato processing industry (Lycopersicon esculentum variety "Hybrid Rome") are reported. Their chemical composition, rheological properties and partial primary structure were determined on the basis of spectroscopic analyses (ultraviolet, infra red, gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy, 1H, 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy). Moreover, the anticytotoxic activities of exopolysaccharides from culture cells of tomato were tested in brine shrimp bioassay and the achievement of biodegradable film by using chemical processes from polysaccharide of solid waste tomato industry was also reported.