In the present work, the chemical composition, structural properties, rheological behavior and biological activity of a novel polysaccharide extracted from Melissa officinalis seeds were examined. Melissa officinalis seed gum (MOSG) is mainly composed of galactose and mannose. The weight average molecular weight of MOSG was found to be 1.36 × 107 g/mol. The zeta potential of MOSG was −44.26 ± 0.67 mV (at pH = 7). A time-dependent and strong shear-thinning behavior was observed for MOSG dispersions at different concentrations (0.5, 1 and 1.5% (w/w)). The intrinsic viscosity of MOSG was 3.45 dL/g. MOSG could effectively scavenge free radicals with certain dose-effect relationships. MOSG can be employed as gelling agent, stabilizer and antioxidant in food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical systems.

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