One-Step Ultrasound-Assisted Synchronous Extraction of Polysaccharides and Polyphenols from Blue Honeysuckle Berries: Structural Characteristics and Associated Bioactivities

Blue honeysuckle (Lonicera caerulea L.) berries are rich in bioactive compounds, yet their efficient utilization is limited by conventional single-component extraction methods. This study developed a one-step ultrasound-assisted synchronous extraction (OUE) method to simultaneously recover polysaccharides and polyphenols and evaluate their physicochemical properties and bioactivities. OUE-extracted polyphenols (OUEP) and polysaccharides (OUES) showed significantly stronger antioxidant activity, with higher DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging capacities than conventionally extracted polyphenols (MPP) and hot water extraction followed by alcohol polysaccharides (HPS). FTIR analysis indicated similar polysaccharide backbones for OUES and HPS, while SEM revealed a more porous microstructure in OUES, and rheological measurements showed higher apparent viscosity, suggesting improved macromolecular interactions and functional behavior in food systems. Additionally, OUEP displayed strong α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities (IC50 = 25.85 ± 1.77 and 26.08 ± 0.11 mg/mL, respectively), highlighting their potential for glycemic control. These findings demonstrate that OUE not only enables efficient, simultaneous recovery of multiple bioactive components but also enhances their structural and functional properties, supporting the development of health-promoting food products and improving the utilization of blue honeysuckle berries.