Synthesis and Biological Characteristics of Low-calorie Omija Juice

Abstract

Omija whose binomial name is Schisandra chinensis Turcz. (Baill.) is a medicinal plant that contains many bioactive chemicals called dibenzocyclooctadiene liganans. Schisandrin, Gomisin N, Schizandrin C, Schisandrin A, Gomisins A and G are its major dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans. Using theses rare valuable compounds from omija with sucrose, omija juice was made by two glucansucrases from Leuconostoc mesenteroides B-512FMCM and B-1355CF10. Acceptor reaction occurred by dextransucrase and alternansucrase from respective Leuconostoc mesenteroides until all of sucrose was consumed. More than nine kinds of oligosaccharides which have α-(1,6) linkages as backbones and α-(1,2), α-(1,3), α-(1,4) linkages as branches were synthesized in Omija juice.

Omija oligosaccharides have lowered calories by 61.13% comparing to regular omija juice which have 50% sucrose after treatment with intestinal enzymes.

Newly synthesized omija oligosaccharides reduced formation of the insoluble glucan, mutan which is one of products that causes dental plaque by 96%.

Omija oligosaccharides could give melanogenesis inhibition activity.

This paper revealed omija oligosaccharides have potential for medicinal and cosmetic properties in biological system.