Abstract
In order to develop new and low cost anticoagulants as potential heparin alternatives, sulfation of a pectin-like polysaccharide from Opuntia ficus indica cladodes using SO3-DMF complex was performed with a significant sulfate content (7%). FTIR and NMR assays indicated that the sulfation reaction had occurred. In addition, GC–MS analyses demonstrated that sulfation was carried out on the arabinose units of native polysaccharide. Moreover, Physico-chemical characterization indicated an evident decrease of the average molecular weight (Mw) and sugar rates after sulfation. Finally, anticoagulant assays demonstrated that the anticoagulant activity was significantly enhanced by the addition of sulfate groups. Thus, sulfated polysaccharides exhibited the most potent anticoagulant activity by prolonging activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and thrombin time (TT).
•Pectin was isolated from Opuntia ficus indica (OFI) cladodes with yield of 24.50% from dry matter.•Chemical sulfation of extracted pectin was performed using SO3-DMF complex.•FTIR, NMR and GC–MS indicated that the sulfation reaction had occurred with a highest sulfate content of 7.04%.•Sulfated polysaccharides showed significant anticoagulant potential depending on the sulfate content.