Fractionation,characterization and antioxidant activity of exopolysaccharides from fermentation broth of a Cordyceps sinensis fungus

Exopolysaccharide (EPS) fractions P_1/5, P_2/5, P₁, P₂ and P₅ were isolated from the fermentation medium of a medicinal fungus Cordyceps sinensis by gradient precipitation with ethanol at 1/5, 2/5, 1, 2, and 5 volume ratios to the liquid medium. P_1/5 and P_2/5 were mainly composed of polysaccharides with negligible protein content and a large molecular or particle size (intrinsic viscosity η] 2025 mL/g; hydrodynamic radius R_h 905 nm). The fraction attained at a higher ethanol volume ratio had a much higher protein and lower carbohydrate content, and a smaller molecular size. In particular, P₅ was composed of mainly protein with an average molecular weight 16 kDa, η] 4.3 mL/g and R_h 23.5 nm. The antioxidant activities of EPS fractions showed a significant dependence on the protein content, being negligible of P_1/5 and P_2/5, low to moderate of P₁ and P₂, and very strong of P₅. Gradient ethanol precipitation was proven a simple and workable method for initial fractionation of polysaccharides, proteins and their complexes with different molecular sizes and for further identification of the bioactive components.