Prof. Zayniddin Kamarovich Muhidinov
Institute of Chemistry of the National Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan
Title: Polysaccharides from a Native Plant of Tajikistan: Extraction, Structure, and Applications
Abstract:
This work presents recent advances in the valorization of plant-derived polysaccharides for food and pharmaceutical applications. A novel, low-cost, and environmentally friendly technology based on flash extraction and diaultrafiltration (DUF) has been developed and demonstrated at pilot scale for pectin production from different sources. Structural analysis using 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy confirmed that the DUF process efficiently removes low-molecular-weight impurities co-extracted with pectin, resulting in improved purity and functionality. The flexibility of this approach allows the processing of diverse raw materials.
In parallel, two polysaccharide fractions—water-soluble (23%) and acid-soluble (8%)—were isolated from Eremurus roots and structurally characterized. The water-soluble fraction was identified as an acetylated glucomannan with a (1→4)-linked β-D-mannose/glucose backbone (Mw ≈ 495 kDa), while the acid-soluble fraction corresponded to a branched galactoglucomannan (Mw ≈ 179 kDa).
Furthermore, advanced drug delivery systems based on pectin–protein hydrogels and emulsions were developed for the encapsulation of bioactive compounds, demonstrating antimicrobial activity. In addition, biopolymer films (zein/glucomannan) enriched with plant polyphenols exhibited enhanced barrier and antimicrobial properties, highlighting their potential in sustainable food packaging.
Overall, these results demonstrate that tailoring polysaccharide structure enables targeted functional applications in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and food systems.
Biography:
He has Doctor of Science degree in Polymer Chemistry. One year was then spent as Postdoctoral Fellow at the Department of Human Nutrition of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India. He has received an the research award of the Fulbright (2003-2004) at the Temple University, Philadelphia, PA USA where he developed a new emulsion microcapsule for drug delivery systems. During 2014-2019 He was a director of the Chemistry Institute of Academy of Sciences. The scientific activities are devoted to the study of fundamental aspects of pectin production technological processes. The second research interest is the development of drug carriers from controlled-release based on pectin, plant and whey proteins. The resent field of interest deals with isolation and pharmacological activity of carbohydrates fractions of oligosaccharides (OS), neutral and acidic polysaccharides, and polyphenol compounds from fruit pomace and herbal plant growing in Tajikistan for the creation of functional food. He has published more the 360 publication including 95 outstanding publications in peer-reviewed international journals, 42 presentations at international symposia including American Chemical Society, PacifiChem Congress, and International Congress of Biohydrogels, Food Hydrocolloids Conferences, BioJapan 2023 Exhibition, etc.; and 16 patents. Dr. Zayniddin Muhidinov has demonstrated his leadership in his professional field as reviewer, and established his prominent status internationally. He has developed strong collaboration with Eastern Regional Research Center of ARS USDA, the Temple University, BOKU the Austrian University, University of Padua, Italy and many NIS courtiers.