Polysaccharides from Cunninghamia konishii promote the mycelial growth of Antrodia cinnamomea

Antrodia cinnamomea is an edible fungus and used for the treatment of toxication caused by food and alcohol. The hyphal growth factor (HGF) of A. cinnamomea from six coniferous trees, including Cunninghamia konishii (CK), Cryptomeria japonica (CJ), Taiwania cryptomerioides (TC), Pinus armandii (PA), Tsuga chinensis (Tsuga), and Taxus sumatrana (TS) were investigated. The rank for the growth-enhancing effects was CK > Tsuga > TC > PA > CJ > TS. Polysaccharides in CK- leaves were characterized to be one active component for the mycelia growth promoting effect. The maximal dry weight was reached in the value of 7.25 g/L with the medium of 40 g/L CK-leaves. The Mn values of the CK polysaccharides were determined to be 1002, 6.17, 3.56, and 0.88 kDa. Galactosamine, galactose, glucose, and mannose were the major sugars in the CK polysaccharides. The polysaccharides from CK may offer the alternative bioresources to produce the medicinal fungus.