MYCOLab Ai Logo - gold and army green

Bioactive Mushroom Polysaccharides: A Review on Monosaccharide Composition, Biosynthesis and Regulation

Summary

This research examines how different sugar molecules combine to form complex carbohydrates in medicinal mushrooms, and how these combinations affect their health benefits. The study helps us understand how to better produce beneficial mushroom compounds for medical use. Impacts on everyday life: • Improved production of mushroom-based medicines and supplements • Better understanding of how mushrooms can boost immune system function • Development of more effective natural antioxidant and anti-inflammatory products • Enhanced ability to create targeted therapeutic compounds from mushrooms • More efficient cultivation of medicinal mushrooms for health applications

Background

Mushrooms have been consumed for over 2000 years due to their nutritional value and medicinal properties. They contain various bioactive compounds including polysaccharides, lectins, lactones, terpenoids, and alkaloids. Among these, polysaccharides (PSs) are a main component responsible for bioactivities in many mushroom species, displaying effects like antitumor, immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive, antiviral, antioxidative, and hypoglycemic properties.

Objective

This review aims to summarize: (1) monosaccharide composition/combinations in various mushroom polysaccharides and their relationships with bioactivities; (2) possible biosynthetic pathways of mushroom polysaccharides and effects of key enzymes on monosaccharide composition; (3) regulation strategies in polysaccharide biosynthesis and prospects for controllable biosynthesis of polysaccharides with enhanced bioactivities.

Results

The review found that polysaccharide composition varies between Ascomycetes and Basidiomycetes, with common components including glucose, mannose, galactose, xylose, arabinose, rhamnose, and fucose. Monosaccharide composition and ratios were found to strongly correlate with biological activities. Key enzymes like phosphoglucose isomerase, α-phosphoglucomutase, and UDP-Glc pyrophosphorylase were identified as important regulators of polysaccharide synthesis and composition.

Conclusion

While significant progress has been made in understanding mushroom polysaccharide structures and bioactivities, there remains no uniformity or predictability in their structural features or functional characteristics. The relationship between structure and bioactivity, particularly regarding monosaccharide composition, warrants further investigation to identify the most effective structures and improve regulation strategies for enhanced bioactive polysaccharide production.
  • Published in:Molecules,
  • Study Type:Review,
  • Source: 10.3390/molecules22060955
Scroll to Top