In order to improve the comprehensive exploitation value of jute,polysaccharides were extracted from different varieties of jute leaves with hot water extraction and alcohol sedimentation.Then,the contents,structures,monosaccharide compositions and molecular weights of polysaccharides were analyzed by phenol-sulfuric acid reaction,fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR),derivatisation-HPLC and gel permeation chromatography.The scavenging activities of hydroxyl,DPPH and superoxide anion radicals were analyzed by salicylic acid method,pyrogallol autoxidation method and DPPH elimination method.Results showed that the content,monosaccharide composition and molecular weight of polysaccharides of Corchorus capsularis were 80.92 mg/g,galactose (27.06%) and 59.87 kDa,respectively;the content,monosaccharide composition and molecular weight of polysaccharides of Corchorus olitorius were 60.77 mg/g,glucose (44.55%) and 102.54 kDa,respectively.In addition,the FT-IR spectra indicated that absorption peaks of the structures of polysaccharides of C. capsularis and C. olitorius were similar with each other and both consistent with the typical characteristics of polysaccharides.When the concentration of polysaccharides was 1 mg/mL,the scavenging activities of polysaccharides of C. capsularis on hydroxyl,DPPH and superoxide anion radicals were 46.23%,67.30% and 75.02%,respectively;while the scavenging activities of polysaccharides of C. olitorius on hydroxyl,DPPH and superoxide anion radicals were 41.81%,61.11% and 66.81%,respectively;The radical scavenging activities (EC₅₀) of polysaccharides of C. capsularis were all lower than that from C. olitorius.Polysaccharides of C. capsularis and C. olitorius both have certain antioxidant abilities and are potential medicinal resources for antioxidant substances.