Extraction Process, Structural Characterization, and Digestive Properties of Type 3 Resistant Starch (RS3) from Angelica dahurica, and Its Impact on Gut Health in Obese Mice


Introduction

Obesity and its related metabolic disorders are global health concerns, largely linked to diet and gut microbial imbalance. Functional food ingredients such as resistant starches (RS) are being explored as potential nutritional interventions. Angelica dahurica, a traditional medicinal plant, is a promising source of starch that can be processed into type 3 resistant starch (RS3). RS3 is formed through retrogradation of gelatinized starch and has shown significant health-promoting effects, especially in gut health regulation and obesity management.

Meaning of RS3

Type 3 resistant starch (RS3) refers to retrograded starch molecules that resist digestion in the small intestine. Instead of being broken down into glucose, RS3 passes to the large intestine where it undergoes microbial fermentation, producing short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) such as acetate, propionate, and butyrate. These metabolites improve gut health, regulate immunity, and support metabolic balance.

Advantages of RS3

  • Gut health benefits: Promotes growth of beneficial bacteria and enhances SCFA production.

  • Metabolic regulation: Helps reduce blood glucose spikes, improves insulin sensitivity, and lowers lipid accumulation.

  • Obesity management: Supports weight control by increasing satiety and modulating energy metabolism.

  • Colon health: Enhances barrier function and reduces inflammation in the intestine.

Disadvantages of RS3

  • Variable yield: RS3 formation depends heavily on processing conditions (temperature, cooling cycles, and water content).

  • Digestive tolerance: Excess consumption may cause bloating or discomfort in sensitive individuals.

  • Limited sources and standardization: Not all starch sources retrograde efficiently, and reproducibility of extraction methods can be challenging.

Extraction Process of Ad-RS3

Starch is first isolated from A. dahurica roots using an optimized extraction process. To prepare RS3:

  1. Gelatinization: Native starch is heated in water or autoclaved at high temperature to disrupt granules.

  2. Retrogradation: The starch solution is cooled under controlled conditions (e.g., refrigeration at 4 °C for 12–24 hours).

  3. Repetition: Heating–cooling cycles are sometimes repeated to enhance retrogradation.

  4. Drying & milling: The retrograded starch is dried and ground to form Ad-RS3 powder.

Structural Characterization of Ad-RS3

  • X-ray diffraction (XRD): Shows increased crystallinity with B- or V-type patterns.

  • Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR): Indicates greater short-range molecular order.

  • Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC): Higher transition enthalpy confirms strong retrograded networks.

  • Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM): Reveals denser and aggregated structures compared to native starch.

Digestive Properties

In vitro digestion shows that Ad-RS3 has:

  • Reduced rapidly digestible starch → slower glucose release.

  • Higher resistant fraction → more starch reaches the colon.

  • Fermentation in colon → production of SCFAs that benefit host metabolism.

Impact on Gut Health in Obese Mice

Animal studies using diet-induced obese mice demonstrated:

  • Improved gut microbiota balance: Increase in beneficial bacteria and decrease in harmful species.

  • Enhanced SCFA production: Particularly butyrate, linked to better intestinal barrier function.

  • Weight management: Reduction in body weight gain and fat accumulation.

  • Lipid and glucose regulation: Lower triglycerides, cholesterol, and improved insulin sensitivity.

  • Intestinal protection: Strengthened tight-junction proteins and reduced inflammation.

Conclusion

RS3 derived from Angelica dahurica is a promising functional ingredient with potential anti-obesity and gut health benefits. Its unique structure makes it resistant to digestion, enabling fermentation in the colon and production of beneficial metabolites. While extraction efficiency and individual tolerance remain challenges, its positive impacts on intestinal integrity, metabolic health, and weight control make Ad-RS3 a strong candidate for dietary interventions against obesity.

Summary

Type 3 resistant starch (RS3) from Angelica dahurica is prepared through gelatinization and retrogradation, leading to a structurally ordered starch resistant to enzymatic digestion. Structural analyses confirm its crystallinity and compactness. In obese mice, Ad-RS3 improves gut microbiota composition, enhances SCFA production, regulates lipid and glucose metabolism, and protects intestinal health. Thus, it offers significant promise as a functional dietary component for managing obesity and promoting gut health.

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