Investigation for culture conditions and characteristics of crude protein-bound polysaccharides compositions extracted from Agaricus blazei Murill

The Basidomycetes fungus Agaricus blazei Murill has been well known as a health food for the prevention of cancer, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, arteriosclerosis and chronic hepatitis. This study was concentrated to investigate the characteristics of crude protein-bound polysaccharides(PBP) compositions extracted from Agaricus blazei Murill. In order to produce crude polysaccharides, culture conditions were examined using YMK media. Total sugars and protein contents of PBP were detected by phenol-sulfuric acid method and Bradford -assay. Hexosamine was found to be involved in the linkage, N-linked and O-linked types. To identify helical conformation existence, wavelength was measured using Congo red after the treatment with alkali solution.