Skip to main content
Log in

Extracellular Tremella polysaccharides: structure, properties and applications

  • Published:
Biotechnology Letters Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Tremella sp. is a yeast-like fungus from which polysaccharides can be isolated from either the yeast or the fungus phase, depending on the species. All of the polymers synthesized by these organisms consist of a mannan backbone to which small xylose side chains and glucuronic acid are attached. The main interest in these glucuronoxylomannans is their application in medicine to enhance the immune system.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

References

  • Abercrombie MJ,Jones JKN,Lock MV,Perry MB,Stoodley RJ (1960) The polysaccharides of Cryptococcus laurentii (NRRL Y-1401). Can. J. Chem. 38: 1617-1624.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bandoni RJ,Boekhout T (1998) Tremelloid genera with yeast phases. In: Kurtzmann CP,Fell JW, eds. The Yeasts-A Taxonomic Study, 4th edn. Amsterdam: Elsevier, pp. 705-717.

    Google Scholar 

  • Boekhout T,Bandoni RJ,Fell JW,Kwon-Chung KJ (1998) Discussion of teleomorphic and anamorphic genera of heterobasidiomycetous yeasts. In: Kurtzmann CP,Fell JW, eds. The Yeasts-A Taxonomic Study, 4th edn. Amsterdam: Elsevier, pp. 609-625.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cadmus MC,Lagoda AA,Anderson RF (1962) Production of a new polysaccharide with Cryptococcus laurentii var. flavescens. Appl. Microbiol. 10: 153-156.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chang H-Y (1998) Mycelial properties of Tremella fuciformis and Hypoxylon sp. Korean J. Mycol. 26: 321-326.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cherniak R,Jones RG,Slodki ME (1988) Type-specific polysaccharides of Cryptococcus neoformans. N.M.R.-spectral study of a glucuronomannan chemically derived from a Tremella mesenterica exopolysaccharide. Carbohydr. Res. 182: 227-239.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cheung PCK (1996) The hypercholesterolemic effect of two edible mushrooms: Auricularia auricula (tree-ear) and Tremella fuciformis (white jelly-leaf) in hypercholesterolemic rats. Nutr. Res. 16: 1721-1725.

    Google Scholar 

  • De Baets S,Vandamme EJ (1998) Polymers from fungi and yeasts and their technical and medical application. Biologi Italiani 2: 13-17.

    Google Scholar 

  • De Baets S,Vandamme EJ (1999) Yeast as producers of polysaccharides with novel application potential. SIM News 49: 321-328.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fraser CG,Jennings HJ (1971) A glucan from Tremella mesenterica NRRL Y-6158. Can. J. Chem. 49: 1804-1807.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fraser CG,Jennings HJ,Moyna P (1973) Structural analysis of an acidic polysaccharide from Tremella mesenterica NRRL Y-6158. Can. J. Biochem. 51: 219-224.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gao Q,Berntzen G,Jiang R,Killie MK,Seljejid R (1998) Conjugates of Tremella polysaccharides with microbeads and their TNF-stimulating activity. Planta Med. 64: 551-554.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gao Q,Jiang R,Chen H,Jensen E,Seljejid R (1996a) Characterization and cytokine stimulating activities of heteroglycans from Tremella fuciformis. Planta Med. 62: 297-302.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gao Q,Seljejid R,Chen H,Jiang R (1996b) Characterisation of acidic heteroglycans from Tremella fuciformis Berk with cytokine stimulating activity. Carbohydr. Res. 288: 135-142.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gao Q,Killie MK,Chen H,Jiang R,Seljejid R (1997) Characterization and cytokine-stimulating activities of acidic heteroglycans from Tremella fuciformis. Planta Med. 63: 457-460.

    Google Scholar 

  • Golubev WI (1991) Capsules. In: Rose AH,Harrison JS, eds. The Yeasts-Yeast Organelles. London, San Diego: Academic Press, pp. 174-197.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jeanes A,Pittsley JE,Watson PR (1964) Extracellular polysaccharide produced from glucose by Cryptococcus laurentii var. flavescens NRRL Y-1401: chemical and physical characterization. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 8: 2775-2787.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kakuta M,Sone Y,Umeda T,Misaki A (1979) Comparative structural studies on acidic heteropolysaccharides isolated from 'shirokikurage', fruit body of Tremella fuciformis Berk, and the growing culture of its yeast-like cells. Agricult. Biol. Chem. 43: 1659-1668.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kiho T,Kobayashi T,Morimoto H,Usui S,Ukai S,Hirano K,Aizawa K,Inakuma T (2000a) Structural features of an antidiabetic polysaccharide (TAP) from Tremella aurantia. Chem. Pharm. Bull. 48: 1793-1795.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kiho T,Morimoto H,Kobayashi T,Usui S,Ukai S,Aizawa K,Inakuma T (2000b) Effect of a polysaccharide (TAP) from the fruiting bodies of Tremella aurantia on glucose metabolism in mouse liver. Biosci. Biotechnol. Biochem. 64: 417-419.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kiho T,Morimoto H,Sakushima M,Usui S,Ukai S (1995) Polysaccharides in fungi. XXXV. Anti-diabetic activity of an acidic polysaccharide from the fruiting bodies of Tremella aurantia. Biol. Pharm. Bull. 18: 1627-1629.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kiho T,Morimoto H,Usui S,Ukai S (1996) Antidiabetic activity of an acidic polysaccharide from the fruiting bodies of Tremella aurantia. In: Yalpani M, ed. Biomedical Functions and Biotechnology of Natural and Artificial Polymers. Shrewsbury, US: ATL Press, pp. 243-249.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kiho T,Tsujimura Y,Sakushima M,Usui S,Ukai S (1994) Polysaccharides in fungi. XXXIII. Hypoglycemic activity of an acidic polysaccharide (AC) from Tremella fuciformis. Yakugaku Zasshi 114: 308-315.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ma L,Lin ZB (1992) Effect of Tremella polysaccharide on IL-2 production by mouse splenocytes. Yao Hsueh Hsueh Pao 27: 1-4.

    Google Scholar 

  • Margaritis A,Pace GW (1985) Microbial polysaccharides. In: Blanch HW,Drew S,Wang DIC, eds. Comprehensive Biotechnology, Vol. 3. Oxford, UK: Pergamon Press, pp. 1005-1044.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shen R,Zhang D,Wang Y-A (1993) Tremella polysaccharide drink and its making method. Chinese Patent CN1069866.

  • Slodki ME (1966) Hydrolysis products from an extracellular Tremella polysaccharide. Can. J. Microbiol. 12: 495-499.

    Google Scholar 

  • Slodki ME,Cadmus MC (1978) Production of microbial polysaccharides. Adv. Appl. Microbiol. 23: 19-54.

    Google Scholar 

  • Slodki ME,Wickerham LJ,Bandoni RJ (1966) Extracellular heteropolysaccharides from Cryptococcus and Tremella: a possible taxonomic relationship. Can. J. Microbiol. 12: 489-494.

    Google Scholar 

  • Spencer JFT,Gorin PAJ (1973) Mannose-containing polysaccharides of yeasts. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 15: 1-12.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sutherland IW (1997) Microbial exopolysaccharides-structural subtleties and their consequences. Pure Appl. Chem. 69: 1911-1917.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sutherland IW (1998) Novel and established applications of microbial polysaccharides. Trends Biotechnol. 16: 41-46.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ukai S,Hirose K,Kiho T,Hara C,Irikura T (1972) Antitumor activity on sarcoma 180 of the polysaccharides from Tremella fuciformis Berk. Chem. Pharm. Bull. 20: 2293-2294.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vandamme EJ,Bruggeman G,De Baets S,Vanhooren PT (1996) Useful polymers of microbial origin. Agro-Food-Industry Hi-Tech 7: 21-25.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vanhooren PT,De Baets S,Bruggeman G,Vandamme EJ (1998) Plastics made by bacteria or their enzymes. Biologi Italiani 1: 7-11.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wuyong W (1998) Anti-senile anti-cancer food. Chinese Patent CN1177458.

  • Xiu R-J (1996) Accelerated wound healing. U.S. Patent 5547672.

  • Xiu R-J (1997) Stimulator of vascular endothelial cells and use thereof. U.S. Patent 5616325.

  • Yui T,Ogawa K,Kakuta M,Misaki A (1995) Chain conformation of a glucuronoxylomannan isolated from fruit body of Tremella fuciformis Berk. J. Carbohydr. Chem. 14: 255-263.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to S. De Baets.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

De Baets, S., Vandamme, E. Extracellular Tremella polysaccharides: structure, properties and applications. Biotechnology Letters 23, 1361–1366 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1011645724220

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1011645724220

Navigation