Ph.D. Defence of Hussain Ahmad Kakar
Ph.D Defence of Mr. Hussain Ahmad Kakar, Centre of Plant Biodiversity and Conservation
Mr. Muhammad Zakria, Ph.D. Research Scholar has submitted thesis on "Comparative Biological Potential
of Water Soluble Polysaccharides Isolated from Plants Mucilage" to the University of Peshawar, in partial
fulfillment of the requirements for the award of degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Plant
Biodiversity and Conservation.
The oral examination (Public Defence) is scheduled to be held on April 01 , 2026 at 11.00 a.m. in the
Centre of Plant Biodiversity, University of Peshawar. The abstract of the thesis is attached herewith.
All those interested in the said research work may participate in the event. They may raise relevant
questions during presentation by the scholar for further evaluation.
Abstract
COMPARATIVE BIOLOGICAL POTENTIAL OF WATER SOLUBLE POLYSACCHARIDES ISOLATED FROM PLANTS MUCILAGE Abstract Plant-derived polysaccharides have garnered increasing attention for their remarkable therapeutic potential and eco-friendly nature. This study explores the isolation, purification, and evaluation of water-soluble polysaccharides from cress seeds (Lepidium sativum), chia seeds (Salvia hispanica), okra pods (Abelmoschus esculentus), and yam (Colocasia esculenta), focusing on their antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activities. Optimization of extraction and purification revealed the highest mucilage yield from cress seeds at 18.75% (w/w) using acetone at 45 °C for 24 hours, followed by chia seeds at 15.5% (w/w) under similar conditions. Okra pods and yam yielded 14.3% (w/w) and 10.2% (w/w), respectively, highlighting the efficiency of tailored solvent-based extraction techniques. Biochemical analysis showed that okra polysaccharides exhibited the highest carbohydrate content of 14.93 ± 0.21 mg/mL, followed by chia (14.71 ± 0.22 mg/mL), cress (12.39 ± 0.19 mg/mL), and yam (11.68 ± 0.46 mg/mL). Biological evaluations showcased significant antibacterial potential. Chia seed polysaccharides exhibited the highest activity against Salmonella typhi, with a zone of inhibition reaching 6.7 ± 0.14 mm at 100 µg/mL, while cress seed polysaccharides demonstrated comparable activity at 6.8 ± 0.21 mm. Against Klebsiella pneumoniae, chia seed polysaccharides again outperformed, achieving a 6.2 ± 0.21 mm inhibition zone. Anti-inflammatory assays revealed effective membrane stabilization, with cress seed polysaccharides demonstrating 87.6% protection at 1000 µg/mL, surpassing okra pod (84.3%) and chia seed (81.5%) polysaccharides. Notably, the water-soluble polysaccharides significantly reduced carrageenan-induced paw edema, demonstrating a strong anti-inflammatory effect. At higher concentrations, cress seeds and yam polysaccharides effectively reduced the inflammation, highlighting their potential as a natural anti-inflammatory agent for treating inflammatory disorders. Biocompatibility testing showed minimal hemolytic activity, with okra pod polysaccharides exhibiting the lowest hemolysis at 4.76 ± 0.48% at 1000 µg/mL, followed by cress seed polysaccharides at 5.87 ± 0.63%. These insights showcase their compatibility and safety for biomedical use. These findings portray the wide-ranging potential of these water-soluble polysaccharides as effective antibacterial and anti-inflammatory agents, making them viable candidates for sustained advancement in medicines, nutraceuticals, and biomedical engineering. Keywords: Mucilage, polysaccharid