Effects on cytokine-stimulating activities of EPS from Tremella mesenterica with various carbon sources

The effects on cytokine-stimulating activities of extracellular polysaccharides from submerged cultures with various carbon sources of Tremella mesenterica were investigated in vitro. The predominant sugars in EPS identified in this study were glucose, mannose, xylose, and galactose. The results indicated that the component sugar and uronic acids within the EPS vary with the different carbon sources, a variation which also affects cytokine (interlukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α) and nitric oxide production in RAW 264.7 macrophage cells. Xylose and glucose were better carbon sources from the viewpoint of immunomodulatory activity due to the relatively high mannose content in EPS.