Purification and structural elucidation of a novel fucoglucan from the fruiting bodies of Phellinus baumii Pilát

BACKGROUND: Recently, much attention has focused on the biological properties of fungal polysaccharides. Polysaccharides extracted from Phellinus baumii Pilát are reported to have antitumor and immunostimulatory properties, as well as anti‐mutagenicity activity, hypoglycemic and free radical scavenging properties. In this paper, we report the chemical and structural characterization of a novel neutral polysaccharide isolated from the fruiting bodies of P. baumii Pilát. RESULTS: PBF4, a purified polysaccharide, was isolated from the fruiting bodies of P. baumii Pilát, and was shown to be composed of L ‐fucose and D ‐glucose in a ratio of 1:4. It was found to be a fucoglucan consisting of a α‐(1 → 4)‐D ‐glucopyranose backbone with some insertions of α‐(1 → 2)‐L ‐Fucp residues. It also contained a minor β‐(1 → 4,6)‐linked D ‐glucopyranosyl and β‐glycosidically linked nonreducing‐end D ‐glucopyranosyl residues. CONCLUSION: Our results add a new polysaccharide to those already described for different fungal groups. This kind of polysaccharide is useful for further study of the structure–function relationships and mechanism responsible for its biological activities. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry