2.2. Isolation of okra extracts
Extraction of okra polysaccharides was performed at pH 6.0 and
the procedure is described elsewhere in detail (Alba et al., 2013).
Briefly, seeds and calyces were removed and the remaining parts of
the pods were blended. Extraction of polysaccharides was performed
at pH 6.0 at 70 C. Insoluble particles were removed by
centrifugation and the polysaccharides were precipitated with
organic solvent (alcohol or acetone). An aliquot of the precipitate
was freeze-dried and is referred to as FDOG. The other part was
oven-dried at 40 C for 24 h (designated as ODOG). Following this
the okra extracts were ground to 250 mm, and then sieved to 150e
250 mm particle size fraction.