title: Sacchachitin, a novel chitin-polysaccharide conjugate macromolecule present in Ganoderma lucidum: purification, composition, and properties.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The extraction method and the crude wound healing effects of sacchachitin from Ganoderma tsugae Murr. (Ganodermataceae) has been cited. However, its purity is still largely limited.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  An improvement of the fractionation protocol to purify the sacchachitin from Ganoderma lucidum L. (Ganodermataceae) (SGL) is needed.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fruiting bodies were extracted with double distilled water and subsequently the residue treated with 95% ethanol and then 40% ethanol. After being filtered, the pH of the supernatant was adjusted to 4.0 with 1 N HCl and lyophilized. The supernatant was added (3:1 v/v) ethanol, the precipitate was collected, 2% NaOH was added and refluxed. The supernatant was collected with pH adjusted to 4.0, then treated with 10% potassium hydroxide (KOH) with repeating acid precipitation and (3:1) ethanol precipitation twice more to obtain the sacchachitin.
  
  
  RESULTS
  SGL had a hexosamine content 16.3% (w/w), firmly linked to a talomannan. Its Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) spectrum revealed specific absorption (in cm(-1)) ν(O-H) 3455.5 b,s, amide ν(C=O) 1678.5, and amide I° δ(N-H) 1550.4. The percentage deacetylation degree was 37.6 and 39.4% for SGL and MSC, respectively. As contrast, MSC contained only 6.6% of hexosamine with a low protein/carbohydrate ratio 0.35 comparing to 0.82 for SGL. SGL was only moderately strong antioxidant regarding the anti-DPPH, antihydroxyl free radical, and antisuperoxide anion capabilities, exhibiting an IC(33) values of 10 mg/mL (the highest scavenging capability never exceeding 33%), 0.9 mg/mL, and 4.8 mg/mL, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We have successfully isolated the pure sacchachitin from the fruiting bodies of G. lucidum that exhibits potent antioxidative activity and may be useful in fabrication of the artificial skin composite substitute.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, Hungkuang University, Shalu County, Taichung Hsien, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Chao-Ming
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Chuang
authors.forename: Hui-Er
authors.initials: HE
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Chi-Huang
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Chiung-Chi
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Peng
authors.forename: Yaw-Bee
authors.initials: YB
authors.lastname: Ker
authors.forename: Jing-Erh
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Lai
authors.forename: Kuan-Chou
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Robert Y
authors.initials: RY
authors.lastname: Peng
mesh_terms: D000975:Antioxidants / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002686:Chitin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification; D048690:Fruiting Bodies, Fungal; D017665:Hydroxyl Radical / Q000378:metabolism; D011134:Polysaccharides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D020940:Reishi / Q000737:chemistry*; D017550:Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; D013481:Superoxides / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers; D011134:Polysaccharides; D013481:Superoxides; D002686:Chitin; D017665:Hydroxyl Radical