Structure characterization and antitumor activity of an α β-glucan polysaccharide from Auricularia polytricha

► A novel α β-glucan polysaccharide with an average molecular weight of 1.20 × 106 Da. ► The polysaccharide with a single side-branching unit on every six residues. ► The polysaccharide is able to significantly inhibit the growth of Sarcoma-180. ► The structure is useful for revealing mechanisms of food-based therapies.