The biological proprieties of mucilaginous polysaccharides (PSc) extracted from Tossa jute leaves (Corchorus olitorius L.) using an ethanol precipitation method were studied. The results showed that PSc had higher total polyphenols and flavonoids and greater antioxidant activities. At 1.5 mg/ml PSc, the antioxidant activities were about 90% against 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl radical (DPPH•) and 78% against lipid peroxidation. The PSc with a FRAP assay at the same concentration showed an effective protection against hydroxyl radicals and DNA breakage. Furthermore, the extracted PSc had a wide spectrum of antibacterial activities against all bacteria tested (Gram+ and Gram-). The overall data suggested that this natural PSc may be used as a competitive antioxidant and antimicrobial additive in food and in medicinal preparations
