Extraction, purification, and characterization of the polysaccharides from Opuntia milpa alta

Polysaccharides production from Opuntia milpa alta was carried out. The effects of the extraction parameters of extraction time, extraction temperature and ratio of water to raw material were optimized by using statistical techniques such as a three factor, three level Box–Behnken factorial design (BBD) and response surface methodology (RSM), with a view to maximize the extraction yield under optimal extraction parameters combination. From this study, it could be concluded that the maximum yield of the polysaccharides (0.694%) can be obtained extraction temperature of 86.1 °C, extraction time of 3.61 h, ratio of water to material of 3.72:1. Three isolated fractions of the polysaccharides were characterized by employing High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC).