Quantification and identification of polysaccharide contents in Hericium erinaceus

The aim of this study is to identify and quantify sugar and polysaccharide contents in locally grown Hericium erinaceus.

The experiment is presented of chromatography methods to determine sugars in Malaysian–grown H. erinaceus. After the extraction, the crude polysaccharide solution was followed by hydrolysis with acid as well as enzymes reaction, respectively.

In thin–layer chromatography, two sample spots turned blue after treatment with sugar visualizing reagent. The HPLC analysis of the H. erinaceus hot water crude extract showed arabinose as the major component. All H. erinaceus water crude extract showed the components of arabinose, glucose and rhamnose when reacting with different enzymes. The ratio of arabinose and glucose was 2.3:1 after enzymatic reaction compared with 2.7:1 before the enzymatic reaction.

The H. erinaceus polysaccharides from the fruiting body can be further isolated and purified by means of GCMS. In this way, the contents of the polysaccharides isolated and types of the linkage can be determined thoroughly in a more detailed way. The purified polysaccharides also should be screened for the bioassay guide fractionation.

The H. erinaceus can also be analyzed for its various nutritional values. In this way, it is hoped that Malaysia can produce Hericium products locally for the benefit of the local consumers with a more competitive price.

This paper fulfils an identified information of sugar and polysaccharide content in Malaysian–grown H. erinaceus.