Physicochemical characteristics of ultrasonic extracted polysaccharides from cordyceps cephalosporium mycelia.

Ultrasonic extraction (USE) of polysaccharide from cordyceps cephalosporium mycelia was introduced and compared with hot water extraction. Crude polysaccharides were investigated for morphological and thermodynamic properties. Two major fractions (USEP40-1, USEP70-1) were purified and investigated for IR spectra, molecular weights, monosaccharide compositions and antioxidant activities. The results suggested that USE gained higher extraction efficiency due to its intense extraction process. USE caused a more compact arrangement in crude polysaccharides. IR spectra of USEP40-1 and USEP70-1 were different at around 1746 cm(-1). The molecular weights of USEP40-1 and USEP70-1 were 61.4 kDa and 25.1 kDa. USEP40-1 and USEP70-1 were composed of D-mannose, D-glucose, D-galactose, L-rhamnose, and L-arabinose with molar ratio of 11.52:5.54:8.75:2.45:2.59 and 11.50:6.74:5.75:4.46:2.39, respectively. Different ABTS and hydroxyl radical scavenging activities were observed in USEP40-1 and USEP70-1.