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Polysaccharides with molecular weights ranging from 1.75 × 103 to 1.14 × 104 g/mol were obtained from the fruit bodies of Ganoderma lucidum. The multiple fingerprints and macrophage immunostimulatory activity of these fractions were analyzed as well as the fingerprint–activity relationship. The correlation analysis of molecular weight and immune activity demonstrated that polysaccharides with molecular weights of 4.27 × 103~5.27 × 103 and 1 × 104~1.14 × 104 g/mol were the main active fractions. Moreover, the results showed that galactose, mannose, and glucuronic acid were positively related to immunostimulatory activity. Additionally, partial least-squares regression and grey correlation degree analyses indicated that three peaks (P2, P3, P8) in the oligosaccharide fragment fingerprint significantly affected the immune activity of the polysaccharides. Hence, these ingredients associated with activity could be considered as markers to assess Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides and their related products, and the study also provides a reference for research on the spectrum–effect relationship of polysaccharides in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Long chain branching polypropylene (LCBPP) with different long chain branching (LCB) contents were prepared by reactive extrusion in the presence of styrene and benzoyl peroxide, and their shear-induced crystallization behaviors were investigated. The results indicated that the LCB structure extended the relaxation time of LCBPP in the molten state, which led to the formation of β-form polypropylene under shear and high cooling rate. The content of β-form (Kβ) increased with the increase of LCB content, shearing rate and cooling rate. The Kβ value of LCBPP3 whose weight average molecular weight was 920,000 g mol−1 could be up to 52.0% with a shear rate of 60 s−1 associated with a cooling rate of 280°C min−1. This study is expected not only to have a deeper understanding of the shear-induced crystallization behavior of LCBPP, but also provide a new strategy to obtain high level β-form polypropylene. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 56:240-247, 2016. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel strategy was developed by melt grafting reaction in the presence of macromonomer vinyl polydimethylsiloxane (VS) and comonomer styrene (St) for preparing high melt strength polypropylene (HMSPP), and the rheological behavior, melt strength, and foaming ability of HMSPP were investigated. The results showed that VS and St were successfully grafted onto isotactic polypropylene (iPP), and the melt strength of HMSPP increased by more than 12 times compared to that of the virgin iPP. Moreover, HMSPP exhibited excellent foaming ability with smaller cell size, higher cell density, and higher expansion ratio compared to the virgin iPP when supercritical carbon dioxide was used as the blowing agent. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 55:251-259, 2015. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel and feasible strategy for preparing high melt strength polypropylene (HMSPP) was developed by a melt grafting reaction in the presence of macro-monomer vinyl polydimethylsiloxane (VS), co-monomer styrene (St), and initiator benzoyl peroxide through a one-step reactive extrusion. The rheological behaviors, melt strength, and foaming ability of HMSPP were studied. The results showed that VS and St were successfully grafted onto polypropylene (PP), and the weight average molecular weight, molecular weight distribution, and melt strength of HMSPP were dramatically increased compared with those of the virgin isotactic polypropylene (iPP). Especially, the melt strength of HMSPP increased from 0.022 N for the virgin iPP to 0.29 N, which made the foamability of HMSPP significantly improved when supercritical carbon dioxide was used as the blowing agent. The foaming condition was optimized to 160°C and 14 MPa, for which HMSPP foams with a high expansion ratio of 66 times and a high cell density of about 5.8×107cell/cm3were obtained, while the virgin iPP did not yield foams with good cell structure. Moreover, the resultant HMSPP could be foamed in a remarkably wide temperature range from 145°C to 165°C, which would be of great significance for industrial application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cell wall polysaccharides were extracted from Sparassis latifolia fruit bodies by acid–alkali and superfine-grinding assisted methods, and the chemical characterization and in vitro immunity activities of these polysaccharide fractions were studied and compared. Results showed that superfine-grinding assisted extraction exhibited the highest yield of polysaccharides (SP, 20.80%) and low β-glucan content (19.35%) compared with alkaline extracts. The results revealed that the 20% ethanol precipitated fraction (20E) from SP was mainly composed of β-(1→3)-glucan and α-(1→4)-glucan. With the increase of ethanol precipitation, the fractions (30E, 40E, 50E) were identified as α-(1→4)-glucan with different molecular weights and conformations. Cell wall polysaccharides extracted through NaOH (NSP) and KOH (KSP) extraction had similar yields with 8.90% and 8.83%, respectively. Structural analysis indicated that the purified fraction from KSP (KSP-30E) was a β-(1→3)-glucan backbone branched with β-(1→6)-Glcp, while the purified fraction from NSP (NSP-30E) mainly contained β-(1→3)-glucan with a small number of α-linked-Glcp. The two fractions both exhibited rigid chain conformation in aqueous solutions. All polysaccharide fractions exerted the activity of activating Dectin-1 receptor in vitro, and the KSP-30E mainly identified as β-(1→3)-glucan with the terminal group via 1→6-linkage attached at every third residue exhibited a stronger enhancing effect than other fractions. Results suggested that KOH extraction could be efficient for the preparation of bioactive β-(1→3, 1→6)-glucan as a food ingredient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The polysaccharide is the main active substance contained in Hericium erinaceus and is commonly used in the treatment of neurasthenia, tumors, and digestive diseases. Six intracellular polysaccharide components were obtained from H. erinaceus fruiting bodies cultivated by ARTP (atmospheric and room temperature plasma) mutagenic strain (321) and the original strain (0605), respectively. This study was designed to investigate the physicochemical characteristics of these polysaccharide components and their potential immunomodulatory activities on RAW264.7 macrophages. The results showed that the yield of fruiting body cultivated by mutated strain increased by 22% and the polysaccharide content improved by 16% compared with the original one owing to ARTP mutagenesis. The molecular weight distribution and the monosaccharide compositions of polysaccharide components from H. erinaceus induced by ARTP mutagenesis were significantly different from that of the original one. The NO, IL-6, IL-10, IL-1β, and TNF-α production activities of macrophages were enhanced by stimulation of 20% ethanol precipitated polysaccharides from H. erinaceus induced by ARTP mutagenesis. These results indicated that ARTP is an efficient and practical method for high polysaccharide content breeding of the H. erinaceus strain and this provided a reference for obtaining high quality resources and healthy product development from H. erinaceus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two polysaccharide fractions (GLSB50 and GLSB70) with total sugar content of 82.07 wt% and 53.79 wt%, respectively, were obtained from the water extracts of unbroken Ganoderma lucidum spores by sequential ethanol precipitation treatment. Compared with GLSB70, GLSB50 exhibited better activity on stimulation of humoral immune responses in immunosuppressed mice. A novel β-D-glucan (GLSB50A-III-1) with weight average molecular weight (M w) of 1.93 × 105 g/mol was purified from GLSB50 through chromatography separation. The exponent α value of Mark-Houwink-Sakurada equation was calculated to be 0.13, indicating that GLSB50A-III-1 presented globular spheres conformation in aqueous solution. Structural analysis showed that GLSB50A-III-1 mainly consisted of (1 → 3), (1 → 4), (1 → 6)-linked β- d -glucose residues in the backbone, with two single β-D-Glc p attached at O-6 of β-(1 → 3) and β-(1 → 4)-linked residues separately as side chains. The repeat unit of GLSB50A-III-1 was deduced as follows: [Display omitted] • The immune activity of polysaccharides from G. lucidum spores was compared. • A novel β-D-glucan (GLSB50A-III-1) was isolated and purified. • The complex structure of GLSB50A-III-1 was elucidated. • The conformation of GLSB50A-III-1 was investigated and characterized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A proteoglycan LEPS1 was firstly isolated and purified from the spent substrate of Lentinula edodes , an agricultural waste that may cause environmental pollution. The average molecular weight of LEPS1 was 1.18 × 104 g/mol, and carbohydrate moiety (88.9 %) was composed of glucose, arabinose, galactose, xylose and mannose at a molar ratio of 1.2:1.2:1.0:2.3:1.1. The protein moiety (8.5 %) of LEPS1 was bonded to the polysaccharide chain via O-glycosidic linkage. LEPS1 could significantly improve the inflammatory injury of LPS stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages by inhibiting the secretion of NO and decreasing the levels of pro-inflammatory factors (TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6). LEPS1 inhibited JAK-STAT1 and p38 MAPK signaling pathway via modulating JAK expression, phosphorylation of STAT1 and phosphorylation of p38, respectively. Moreover, LEPS1 could promote the expression of CD 206 and IL-10 which were the markers for repairing macrophages. Overall, LEPS1 had anti-inflammatory activity and can potentially treat as a novel anti-inflammation agent. This work could provide scientific basis and valuable information for the highly efficient utilization of spent L. edodes substrates as the by-product in mushroom industries. [Display omitted] • A proteoglycan LEPS1 was obtained from spent substrate of Lentinula edodes. • The protein moiety of LEPS1 was bonded to polysaccharide chain via O-glycosidic linkage. • The average molecular weight of LEPS1 was 1.18 × 104 g/mol. • LEPS1 could improve the inflammatory injury of LPS stimulated macrophages. • Anti-inflammatory activity of LEPS1 was mediated by p38-MAPK and JAK-STAT1 pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Aims: Oligosaccharides of hyaluronan (o-HAs) were proved to have pro-angiogenic activities. The aim of this study was to obtain four hyaluronan oligosaccharides (o-HAs) of defined molecular weight including 4 saccharide residues (o-HA4), 6 saccharide residues (o-HA6), 8 saccharide residues (o-HA8), and 10 saccharide residues (o-HA10) under optimum conditions, and compare their angiogenic activities. Main methods: The four o-HAs were prepared by digesting the native high molecular weight HA with hyaluronidase under optimum conditions. The effects of the four o-HAs on human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) proliferation were measured using 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenil tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Angiogenic effects of the four o-HAs were evaluated using chicken chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay. The effects of the four o-HAs on the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expressions were detected by semi-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Key findings: O-HA6, o-HA8 and o-HA10 could effectively promote the proliferation of HUVEC, induce angiogenesis in the CAM assay and increase VEGF mRNA levels in HUVEC. No significant effects were found with o-HA4. Significance: These results suggested that o-HA6, o-HA8, and o-HA10, but not o-HA4 were effective angiogenic factors. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In the present study, regioselective sulfation of β-glucan (GLP) from Ganoderma lucidum were firstly established by using 4,4′-dimethoxytrityl chloride and hexamethyldisilazane as protecting precursor. 2,4,6-O-sulfated, 6-O-sulfated and 2,4-O-sulfated GLP derivatives were prepared and the molecular weights (M w) of derivatives were determined to range from 0.94 × 104 to 6.27 × 104 g/mol, while the degrees of sulfation (DS) were calculated to vary from 0.83 to 1.74. The regioselective sulfation of GLP was confirmed by FT-IR, 13C NMR spectroscopy and methylation analysis. Results indicated that the sulfated substitution sites were predominantly at C-6 in 6-O-sulfated GLP (S 6-O GLP) and C-4 in 2,4-O-sulfated GLP (S 2,4-O GLP), respectively. Clotting assays (APTT, PT and TT) in vitro showed that sulfate groups were essential for anticoagulant activity and S 6-O GLP exhibited much higher than others. Meanwhile, sulfated GLP with higher DS and M w showed stronger anticoagulant activity in the case of the same condition. • Regioselective sulfation of β-glucan from Ganoderma lucidum was established. • 2,4,6-O-sulfated, 6-O-sulfated and 2,4-O-sulfated β-glucans were prepared. • The structure-anticoagulant activity relationship of sulfated glucan was evaluated. • 6-O-sulfated β-glucan showed strongest anticoagulant activity. • The anticoagulant activity was mainly dependent on position of sulfate groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study systematically investigated the therapeutic effects and the corresponding mechanisms of β-D-glucans from Ganoderma lucidum (G. lucidum) with different molecular weights (M w s) on ulcerative colitis (UC). Results showed that three β- d -glucans (GLPS, GLPN and GLPW) from G. lucidum with different M w s exhibited the significant activities on the reduction of typical symptoms of UC by regulating inflammatory cytokine levels, modulating intestinal immunity, improving intestinal microbiota and metabolism of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in the dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced mice model. Among them, the effects of the microwave assisted degraded fraction (GLPW) mainly containing two fractions with smaller M w (1.33 × 104 and 3.51 × 103 g/mol) on the regulation of inflammatory factors and SCFAs metabolism were found to be comparable to those of GLPN with medium M w (3.49 × 104 g/mol), and superior to those of GLPS with large M w (2.42 × 106 g/mol). The effect of GLPW on regulation of intestinal microbiota was even better than that of GLPN. These findings suggested that lowering M w by means of physical degradation could improve the anti-inflammatory activities of G. lucidum β- d -glucans. The analysis of anti-inflammatory mechanism also provided a feasible and theoretical basis for potential use of degraded β- d -glucans in the prevention and treatment of UC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A water soluble β-glucan (GLSWA-I) with a weight average molecular weight ∼1.57 × 10 5 g/mol, isolated from the aqueous extract of the broken cellular wall Ganoderma lucidum spores, was purified by anion-exchange and gel-permeation chromatography. The immunological activity test in vivo showed that GLSWA-I could significantly promote dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) induced delayed-type ear swelling in mice. Based on the monosaccharides composition analysis, methylation analysis, IR, 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy, the repeating unit of polysaccharide GLSWA-I was elucidated as follows: [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A novel acidic heteropolysaccharide (TAPA1) was purified from hot water extracts of Tremella aurantialba fruiting bodies by DEAE-Sepharose Fast Flow and Sephacryl S-500 High-Resolution Chromatography. The heteropolysaccharide had a molecular weight of ca. 1.35×106 Da, and a carbohydrate content estimated to be ∼98.7% by the phenol–sulfuric acid method. It was composed mainly of d-mannose, d-xylose, and d-glucuronic acid in the ratio of ca. 5:4:1, along with trace amounts of d-galacturonic acid and d-glucose. Monosaccharide compositional analysis and GC–MS of methylated derivatives, combined with 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopies (including COSY, TOCSY, NOESY, HSQC, and HMBC spectra), revealed TAPA1 to consist of an α-(1→3)-linked mannopyranosyl backbone, partially substituted at position 4 with xylose side chains, and at position 2 with side chains composed of either xylose, mannose, and glucuronic acid or of xylose and mannose. Bioactivity testing showed that TAPA1 stimulated the proliferation of mouse spleen lymphocytes in vitro. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A new heteropolysaccharide, named as SIP, was isolated from the ink of cuttlefish, Sepiella maindroni, by enzymolysis, anion-exchange and gel-permeation chromatography and tested for its antimutagenic activity. It was homogeneous with a molecular weight of 1.13×104 Da by HPSEC–MALLS analysis. SIP contained glucuronic acid, mannose, N-acetylgalactosamine, and fucose in a molar ratio of 1:1:2:2. Its structural characteristics were investigated and elucidated by methylation analysis, GLC–MS, and NMR (1H, 13C, H–H COSY, HMQC, HMBC, TOCSY and NOESY). The hexasaccharide repeating unit of SIP was found to be a backbone composed of fucose, N-acetylgalactosamine and mannose in a molar ratio of 2:2:1, and with a single branch of glucuronic acid at the C-3 position of mannose. According to the micronucleus test, SIP could significantly reduce the frequency of micronucleated cells in polychromatic erythrocytes and reticulocytes induced by cyclophosphamide in tumor-bearing mice, which revealed that SIP presented strong antimutagenic activity. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• A β-D-glucan with Mw 2390 kDa was prepared by freeze-thawing from H.erinaceus. • NMR and methylation analyses confirmed the presence of (1 → 3),(1 → 6)-β-D-glucan. • H6PC20 showed strong activities on lymphocytes proliferation. • H6PC20 improved the expressions of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 induced by THP-1 macrophages. H6PC20, a water-soluble β-D-glucan, with a molecular mass of 2390 kDa (HPSEC-MALLS-RI), was obtained by extracting the fresh fruiting bodies of Hericium erinaceus at mature stage with hot water, freeze-thawing, precipitating and further rinsing with 20% (v/v) of ethanol. The primary structure of H6PC20 was proposed as a β-(1→3)-linked-D-glucan with a (1→6)-β-linked-D- glucopyranosyl side-branching unit on every third residue by using methylation analysis, 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy, including COSY, TOCSY, HSQC and HMBC. The ρ value (R g /R h) and the exponent (α) of [ η ] = k M w α of H6PC20 were calculated as 1.86 and 0.54, respectively, indicating flexible random coil conformation of H6PC20 in aqueous solution. H6PC20 could induce the proliferation of lymphocytes and enhance the expression of inflammatory cytokines IL-6, TNF-α and IL-1β secreted by THP-1 macrophages. The present study indicated that the macromolecular β-glucan H6PC20 possessed potent immune-enhancing bioactivities and could be a potential ingredient for healthy food or medicine development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]