Policosanol: Extraction and biological functions

Journal of Functional Foods

Feijun Luo¹  Junjun Shen²  Qinlu Lin² 

[1] College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410004, Hunan, China;National Engineering Laboratory for Deep Process of Rice and Byproducts, Hunan Key Laboratory of Grain-oil Deep Process and Quality Control, Hunan Key Laboratory of Processed Food for Special Medical Purpose, College of Food Science and Engineering, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410004, Hunan, China;

关键词: Policosanol;    Extraction methods;    Bioavailability;    Health-improving activities;    Functional foods;    Dietary supplementation;   

DOI  :  

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Policosanol is widely distributed naturally and can be isolated and purified from rice bran, sugarcane, apples, grapes etc. Due to its functional significance and ease of bioavailability, techniques for the extraction of policosanol are of great significance to investigators, of which saponification, solvent extraction, transesterification, molecular distillation, supercritical carbon dioxide extraction, ultrasonic-assisted extraction and other extraction methods are evaluated. Policosanol has been usually applied in functional foods because it has multiple health-improving properties, including the lowering of lipids, anti-aging, tissue regeneration, cyto-, liver, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular protection, and protection against diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, Parkinson’s disease, inflammation, ulcers and cancer. Additionally, the signaling pathways AMPK, MAPK and PI3K/Akt involved in its effects are investigated. This review compiled the most interesting references for scientifics engaged in policosanol health-improving effects, including extraction procedures. To sum up, it will help to develop ancillary drugs and functional foods in the future.

【 授权许可】

Unknown