Structural characterization of a biologically active glucan isolated from a hybrid mushroom strain pfle1v of Pleurotus florida and Lentinula edodes

•A water soluble β-d-glucan was isolated from the hybrid mushroom pfle1v.•Structure of the glucan was established by chemical as well as 1D/2D NMR studies.•This glucan showed activation of macrophages as well as splenocytes and thymocytes.

A water soluble glucan isolated from hot aqueous extract of the fruit bodies of an edible hybrid mushroom pfle1v of Pleurotus florida and Lentinula edodes, consisting of terminal, (1→3,6)-, two (1→6)- and two (1→3)-linked β-D-glucopyranosyl moieties in a molar ratio of nearly 1:1:2:2 showed macrophages, splenocytes, and thymocytes activation. The structure of the repeating unit of the glucan was established on the basis of chemical analysis (acid hydrolysis, methylation, periodate oxidation study, and Smith degradation) and NMR studies (1H, 13C, DEPT-135, TOCSY, DQF-COSY, NOESY, ROESY, HSQC, and HMBC). This glucan contained a backbone of β-(1→3)-,(1→6)-glucose residues with branching at O-6 position of one of the (1→3)-linked residues.

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