# Comparative Analysis of Schisandra Fruit Extracts and Polysaccharides from Different Origins: Chemical Composition and Prebiotic and Antimicrobial Activity

## TL;DR

This study compares Schisandra fruit extracts and polysaccharides from China and Poland, analyzing their chemical makeup and prebiotic and antimicrobial effects.

## Contribution

The study reveals how geographical origin and species affect the chemical composition and biological activity of Schisandra extracts.

## Key findings

- Chinese Schisandra extracts had similar chemical compositions, while the Polish extract showed distinct compounds like gamma-tocopherol.
- All Schisandra extracts promoted lactic acid bacteria growth, showing prebiotic potential.
- Chinese S. chinensis extract showed the strongest antimicrobial activity against pathogens.

## Abstract

Schisandra is a plant whose fruit possesses high biological potential and beneficial health effects. The pharmacological properties of Schisandra are attributed to its bioactive components, primarily polyphenols and polysaccharides. This study aimed to obtain Schisandra fruit extracts (SCE) from different locations in China and Poland, as well as Schisandra polysaccharides (SPO), and to compare their chemical composition and selected biological activities. The prebiotic and antibacterial effects of SCE and SPO on lactic acid bacteria (LAB), human and foodborne pathogens, and gut microbiota were investigated. The chemical composition of the three Chinese SCE was similar, whereas SCE from Poland (SCE-PL) differed. The main bioactive compounds differentiating the Chinese SCE were quercetin, isorhamnetin, and nicotiflorin, while gamma-tocopherol and mevalonic acid distinguished SCE-PL, as indicated through LC-QTOF-MS/MS metabolomic profiling. All SCE and SPO promoted the growth of LAB strains, confirming their prebiotic potential and ability to serve as effective carbon sources for LAB. Additionally, all SCE inhibited the growth of certain pathogens, with S. chinensis extract from China showing the strongest activity, whereas SPO did not exhibit such activity. Variations in chemical composition among SCE and SPO contribute to differences in their prebiotic and antimicrobial activity, highlighting the importance of species and geographical origin in determining their functional properties.