Orthogonal Test Design for Optimization of the Extraction of Polysaccharides from Inonotus cuticularis and Their Antioxidant Activities

Medical fungi polysaccharides belong to a very important species of biological macromolecules, which are the basic substances that effectively maintain and ensure the normal operation of biological life activities. However, research on extraction and biological activity of Inonotus cuticularis polysaccharides has never been reported. In this study, the optimum yield of Inonotus cuticularis polysaccharides was determined by the orthogonal experimental design. The highest yield of 3.10±0.06 % was obtained with extraction temperature of 80 °C, extraction time of 150 min, and water to raw material ratio of 30 mL/g and repeated twice. After deproteinization for 5 times, the protein removal rate reached 70.10±1.75 %, and the content of polysaccharides and protein were 46.64 and 0.42 %. Infrared spectrometer indicated that Inonotus cuticularis polysaccharides are typical β‐pyranose with characteristic peaks of polysaccharides. Subsequently, the activities of scavenging free radicals for the deproteinated polysaccharides were studied. When the concentration of Inonotus cuticularis polysaccharides was 0.3 mg/mL, the scavenging activities of the sample on DPPH^., ^.OH, ABTS^.+ and O₂^.? reached 83.67±0.27, 65.21±4.82, 43.45±1.36 and 80.28±2.30 %, respectively, and the reducing power reached 0.46±0.01. The IC₅₀ values scavenging DPPH^., ^.OH, ABTS^.+ and O₂^.? were 0.139±0.13, 0.162±0.14, 0.317±0.30 and 0.121±0.10 mg/mL, respectively. Results showed that Inonotus cuticularis polysaccharides present potential stronger antioxidant activities, especially ^.OH scavenging activity and reducing power. Experimental results could provide research basis of Inonotus cuticularis polysaccharides for further exploitation and utilization.