The ear- to shell-shaped fruiting bodies of the genus Auricularia are widely used as food and in traditional medicinal remedies. This study was primarily focused on the composition, properties and potential use of the gel-forming extract from Auricularia heimuer. The dried extract contained 50% soluble homo- and heteropolysaccharides, which were mainly composed of mannose and glucose, acetyl residues, glucuronic acid and a small amount of xylose, galactose, glucosamine, fucose, arabinose and rhamnose. The minerals observed in the extract included approximately 70% potassium followed by calcium. Among the fatty and amino acids, 60% unsaturated fatty acids and 35% essential amino acids could be calculated. At both acidic (pH 4) and alkaline (pH 10) conditions, the thickness of the 5 mg/mL extract did not change in a temperature range from -24 °C to room temperature, but decreased statistically significantly after storage at elevated temperature. At neutral pH, the studied extract demonstrated good thermal and storage stability, as well as a moisture retention capacity comparable to the high molecular weight sodium hyaluronate, a well-known moisturizer. Hydrocolloids that can be sustainably produced from Auricularia fruiting bodies offer great application potential in the food and cosmetic industries.

Competence Center for Applied Mycology and Environmental Studies Niederrhein University of Applied Sciences 41065 Moenchengladbach Germany

Department of Carbohydrates and Cereals Faculty of Food and Biochemical Technology University of Chemistry and Technology 16628 Prague Czech Republic

Good Feeling Products GmbH 41468 Neuss Germany

See more in PubMed

Bandara A.R., Rapior S., Mortimer P.E., Kakumyan P., Hyde K.D., Xu J. A Review of the Polysaccharide, Protein and Selected Nutrient Content of Auricularia, and their Potential Pharmacological Value. Mycosphere. 2019;10:579–607. doi: 10.5943/mycosphere/10/1/10. DOI

Khatua S., Sett S., Acharya K. Auricularia spp.: From Farm to Pharmacy. In: Arya A., Rusevska K., editors. Biology, Cultivation and Applications of Mushrooms. Springer Nature; Berlin, Germany: Singapore Pte Ltd.; Singapore: 2022. pp. 301–355. Chapter 11. DOI

Yao F.J., Lu L.X., Wang P., Fang M., Zhang Y.M., Chen Y., Zhang W.T., Kong X.H., Lu J., Honda Y. Development of a Molecular Marker for Fruiting Body Pattern in Auricularia auricula-judae. Mycobiology. 2018;46:72–78. doi: 10.1080/12298093.2018.1454004. PubMed DOI PMC

Singh M., Kamal S., Sharma V.P. Status and Trends in World Mushroom Production-III. World Production of Different Mushroom Species in 21st Century. Mushroom Res. 2021;29:75–111. doi: 10.36036/MR.29.2.2020.113703. DOI

Xu S., Xu X., Zhang L. Branching Structure and Chain Conformation of Water-Soluble Glucan Extracted from Auricularia auricula-judae. J. Agric. Food Chem. 2012;60:3498–3506. doi: 10.1021/jf300423z. PubMed DOI

Sone Y., Kakuta M., Misaki A. Isolation and Characterization of Polysaccharides of “Kikurage”, Fruit Body of Auricularia auricula-judae. Agric. Biol.Chem. 1978;42:417–425. doi: 10.1271/bbb1961.42.417. DOI

Bao H., You S., Cao L., Zhou R., Wang Q., Cui S.W. Chemical and Rheological Properties of Polysaccharides from Fruit Body of Auricularia auricular-judae. Food Hydrocoll. 2016;57:30–37. doi: 10.1016/j.foodhyd.2015.12.031. DOI

Chang A.K.T., Frias R.R., Alvarez L.V., Bigol U.G., Guzman J.P.M. Comparative Antibacterial Activity of Commercial Chitosan and Chitosan Extracted from Auricularia sp. Biocatal. Agric. Biotechnol. 2019;17:189–195. doi: 10.1016/j.bcab.2018.11.016. DOI

Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2022/677 of 31 March 2022 Laying Down Rules for the Application of Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council as Regards the Glossary of Common Ingredient Names for Use in the Labelling of Cosmetic Products (Text with EEA Relevance) [(accessed on 6 January 2023)]. Available online: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=uriserv%3AOJ.L_.2022.127.01.0001.01.ENG&toc=OJ%3AL%3A2022%3A127%3ATOC.

Li L., Yang X.Y., Pan L., Su Y., Wang Y. Comparing Three Methods of Extraction of Auricularia auricula Polysaccharides. Curr. Top. Nutraceutical Res. 2019;17:7–10.

Elkhateeb W.A., El-Hagrassi A.M., Fayad W., El-Manawaty M.A., Zaghlol G.M., Daba G.M., Ahmed E.F. Cytotoxicity and Hypoglycemic Effect of the Japanese Jelly Mushroom Auricularia auricula-judae. Chem. Res. J. 2018;3:123–133.

Yuan Z., He P., Takeuchi H. Ameliorating Effects of Water-Soluble Polysaccharides from Woody Ear (Auricularia auricula-judae Quel.) in Genetically Diabetic KK-Ay Mice. J. Nutr. Sci. Vitaminol. 1998;44:829–840. doi: 10.3177/jnsv.44.829. PubMed DOI

Alvarado P., Moreno G., Vizzini A., Consiglio G., Manjon J.L., Setti L. Atractosporocybe, Leucocybe and Rhizocybe: Three New Clitocyboid Genera in the Tricholomatoid Clade (Agaricales) with Notes on Clitocybe and Lepista. Mycologia. 2015;107:123–136. doi: 10.3852/13-369. PubMed DOI

Wu F., Yuan Y., Malysheva V.F., Du P., Dai Y.C. Species Clarification of the Most Important and Cultivated Auricularia Mushroom “Heimuer”: Evidence from Morphological and Molecular Data. Phytotaxa. 2014;186:241–253. doi: 10.11646/phytotaxa.186.5.1. DOI

Kalitukha L., Sari M., Lexut A., Lexut P. Gel-Forming Extracts from the Fungi of the Genus Auricularia and Method for their Preparation. DE 102021104013A1. Germany Patent. 2021 February 19;

Chizhov A.O., Dell A., Morris H.R., Haslam S.M., McDowell R.A., Shashkov A.S., Nifant’ev N.E., Khatuntseva E.A., Usov A.I. A study of fucoidan from the brown seaweed Chorda filum. Carbohydr. Res. 1999;320:108–119. doi: 10.1016/S0008-6215(99)00148-2. PubMed DOI

Kleber H.P., Schlee D., Schöpp W. Biochemisches Praktikum [Practical Course in Biochemistry] Gustav Fischer Verlag; Jena, Germany: 1997.

Megazyme International Ireland Ltd. Mushroom and Yeast β-glucan Assay Procedure Booklet (K-YBGL 11/19) Megazyme International Ireland Ltd.; Wicklow, Ireland: 2019.

Sluiter A., Hames B., Ruiz R., Scarlata C., Sluiter J., Templeton D., Crocker D. Technical Report No. NREL/TP-510-42618 [Issued April 2008; Revised July 2011] National Renewable Energy Laboratory; Golden, CO, USA: 2011. Determination of Structural Carbohydrates and Lignin in Biomass: Laboratory Analytical Procedure (LAP) Contract No. DE-AC36-08GO28308.

Ekblad A., Näsholm T. Determination of Chitin in Fungi and Mycorrhizal Roots by an Improved HPLC Analysis of Glucosamine. Carbohydr. Res. 1996;178:29–35. doi: 10.1007/BF00011160. DOI

Sluiter A., Ruiz R., Scarlata C., Sluiter J., Templeton D. Technical Report No. NREL/TP-510-42619 [Issued 17 July 2005] National Renewable Energy Laboratory; Golden, CO, USA: 2008. Determination of Extractives in Biomass: Laboratory Analytical Procedure (LAP) Contract No. DE-AC36-99-GO10337.

German Society of Fats Science . German Standard Methods for the Analysis of Fats, Fat Products, Surfactants and Related Substances. 2nd ed. Wissenschaftliche Verlagsgesellschaft; Stuttgart, Germany: 2019.

Algermissen B., Nündel M., Riedel E. Analysis of Amino Acids with Fluorescence HPLC. GIT Fachz. Lab. 1989;33:783–790.

Kjeldahl J. New Method for the Determination of Nitrogen in Organic Bodies. Z. Für Anal. Chemie. 1883;22:366–382. doi: 10.1007/BF01338151. DOI

Petrovska B. Protein Fraction in Edible Macedonian Mushrooms. Eur. Food Res. Technol. 2001;212:469–472. doi: 10.1007/s002170000285. DOI

Sluiter A., Ruiz R., Scarlata C., Sluiter J., Templeton D. Technical Report No. NREL/TP-510-42622 [Issued 17 July 2005] Contract No. DE-AC36-99-GO10337; National Renewable Energy Laboratory; Golden, CO, USA: 2008. Determination of ash in biomass: Laboratory analytical procedure (LAP)

Fruit and Vegetable Juices—Determination of Sodium, Potassium, Calcium and Magnesium Content by Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS) Deutsches Institut für Normung; Berlin, Germany: 1994.

Foodstuffs—Determination of Trace Elements—Pressure Digestion. German Version of EN 13805:2014. Deutsches Institut für Normung; Berlin, Germany: 2014.

Milczarek R.R., McCarthy K.L. Relationship between the Bostwick Measurement and Fluid Properties. J. Texture Stud. 2006;37:640–654. doi: 10.1111/j.1745-4603.2006.00075.x. DOI

Standard Test Method for Determining the Consistency of Viscous Liquids Using a Consistometer. American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM); West Conshohocken, PA, USA: 2019.

Malouh M.A., Cichero J.A.Y., Manrique Y.J., Crino L., Lau E.T.L., Nissen L.M., Steadman K.J. Are Medication Swallowing Lubricants Suitable for Use in Dysphagia? Consistency, Viscosity, Texture, and Application of the International Dysphagia Diet Standardization Initiative (IDDSI) Framework. Pharmaceutics. 2020;12:924. doi: 10.3390/pharmaceutics12100924. PubMed DOI PMC

Li H., Xu J., Liu Y., Ai S., Qin F., Li Z., Zhang H., Huang Z. Antioxidant and Moisture-Retention Activities of the Polysaccharide from Nostoc commune. Carbohyd. Polym. 2011;83:1821–1827. doi: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2010.10.046. DOI

Pak S., Chen F., Ma L., Hu X., Ji J. Functional perspective of black fungi (Auricularia auricula): Major bioactive components, health benefits and potential mechanisms. Trends Food Sci. Technol. 2021;114:245–261. doi: 10.1016/j.tifs.2021.05.013. DOI

Mapoung S., Umsumarng S., Semmarath W., Arjsri P., Thippraphan P., Yodkeeree S., Limtrakul P. Skin wound-healing potential of polysaccharides from medicinal mushroom Auricularia auricula-judae (Bull.) J. Fungi. 2021;7:247. doi: 10.3390/jof7040247. PubMed DOI PMC

Perera N., Yang F.L., Chern J., Chiu H.W., Hsieh C.Y., Li L.H., Zhang Y.L., Hua K.F., Wu S.H. Carboxylic and O-acetyl moieties are essential for the immunostimulatory activity of glucuronoxylomannan: A novel TLR4 specific immunostimulator from Auricularia auricula-judae. Chem. Commun. 2018;54:6995–6998. doi: 10.1039/C7CC09927D. PubMed DOI

Yoon S.J., Yu M.A., Pyun Y.R., Hwang J.K., Chu D.C., Juneja L.R., Mourão P.A. The nontoxic mushroom Auricularia auricula contains a polysaccharide with anticoagulant activity mediated by antithrombin. Thromb. Res. 2003;112:151–158. doi: 10.1016/j.thromres.2003.10.022. PubMed DOI

Bao H., Zhou R., You S.G., Wu S., Wang Q., Cui S.W. Gelation Mechanism of Polysaccharides from Auricularia auricula-judae. Food Hydrocoll. 2018;76:35–41. doi: 10.1016/j.foodhyd.2017.07.023. DOI

Guilhem G., Doering T.L. Biosynthesis and Genetics of the Cryptococcus Capsule. In: Heitman J., Kozel T.R., Kwon-Chung K.J., Perfect J.R., Casadevall A., editors. Cryptococcus: From Human Pathogen to Model Yeast. ASM Press; Washington, DC, USA: 2011. pp. 27–41. Chapter 3. DOI

Vetvicka V., Vannucci L., Sima P., Richter J. Beta Glucan: Supplement or Drug? From Laboratory to Clinical Trials. Molecules. 2019;24:1251. doi: 10.3390/molecules24071251. PubMed DOI PMC

Chang H.H., Chien P.J., Tong M.H., Sheu F. Mushroom Immunomodulatory Proteins Possess Potential Thermal/Freezing Resistance, Acid/Alkali Tolerance and Dehydration Stability. Food Chem. 2007;105:597–605. doi: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2007.04.048. DOI

Sheu F., Chien P.J., Chien A.L., Chen Y.F., Chin K.L. Isolation and Characterization of an Immunomodulatory Protein (APP) from the Jew’s Ear Mushroom Auricularia polytricha. Food Chem. 2004;87:593–600. doi: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2004.01.015. DOI

Oli A.N., Edeh P.A., Al-Mosawi R.M., Mbachu N.A., Al-Dahmoshi H.O.M., Al-Khafaji N.S.K., Ekuma U.O., Okezie U.M., Saki M. Evaluation of the Phytoconstituents of Auricularia auricula-judae Mushroom and Antimicrobial Activity of its Protein Extract. Eur. J. Integr. Med. 2020;38:101176. doi: 10.1016/j.eujim.2020.101176. PubMed DOI PMC

Cai M., Lin Y., Luo Y.L., Liang H.H., Sun P. Extraction, Antimicrobial, and Antioxidant Activities of Crude Polysaccharides from the Wood Ear Medicinal Mushroom Auricularia auricula-judae (Higher Basidiomycetes) Int. J. Med. Mushrooms. 2015;17:591–600. doi: 10.1615/IntJMedMushrooms.v17.i6.90. PubMed DOI

Gebreyohannes G., Nyerere A., Bii C., Sbhatu D.B. Investigation of Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities of Different Extracts of Auricularia and Termitomyces Species of Mushrooms. Sci. World J. 2019;2019:7357048. doi: 10.1155/2019/7357048. PubMed DOI PMC

Yao H., Liu Y., Ma Z.F., Zhang H., Fu T., Li Z., Li Y., Hu W., Han S., Zhao F., et al. Analysis of Nutritional Quality of Black Fungus Cultivated with Corn Stalks. J. Food Qual. 2019;2019:9590251. doi: 10.1155/2019/9590251. DOI

Synytsya A., Čopíková J., Matějka P., Machovič V.J. Fourier transform Raman and infrared spectroscopy of pectins. Carbohydr. Polym. 2003;54:97–106. doi: 10.1016/S0144-8617(03)00158-9. DOI

Papageorgiou S.K., Kouvelos E.P., Favvas E.P., Sapalidis A.A., Romanos G.E., Katsaros F.K. Metal-carboxylate interactions in metal-alginate complexes studied with FTIR spectroscopy. Carbohydr. Res. 2010;345:469–473. doi: 10.1016/j.carres.2009.12.010. PubMed DOI

Wellner N., Kačuráková M., Malovíková A., Wilson R.H., Belton P.S. FT-IR study of pectate and pectinate gels formed by divalent cations. Carbohydr. Res. 1998;308:123–131. doi: 10.1016/S0008-6215(98)00065-2. DOI

Yuan Q., Zhang X., Ma M., Long T., Xiao C., Zhang J., Liu J., Zhao L. Immunoenhancing glucuronoxylomannan from Tremella aurantialba Bandoni et Zang and its low-molecular-weight fractions by radical depolymerization: Properties, structures and effects on macrophages. Carbohydr. Polym. 2020;238:116184. doi: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2020.116184. PubMed DOI

Bacon B.E., Cherniak R., Kwon-Chung K.J., Jacobson E.S. Structure of the O-deacetylated glucuronoxylomannan from Cryptococcus neoformans Cap70 as determined by 2D NMR spectroscopy. Carbohydr. Res. 1996;283:95–110. doi: 10.1016/0008-6215(95)00397-5. PubMed DOI

Skelton M.A., Cherniak R., Poppe L., van Halbeek H. Structure of the De-O-acetylated glucuronoxylomannan from Cryptococcus neoformans serotype D, as determined by 2D NMR spectroscopy. Magn. Reson. Chem. 1991;29:786–793. doi: 10.1002/mrc.1260290808. DOI

Cherniak R., Jones R.G., Reiss E. Structure determination of Cryptococcus neoformans serotype A-variant glucuronoxylomannan by 13C-nmr spectroscopy. Carbohydr. Res. 1988;172:113–138. doi: 10.1016/S0008-6215(00)90846-2. PubMed DOI

Synytsya A., Novak M. Structural Analysis of Glucans. Ann. Transl. Med. 2014;2:17. PubMed PMC

Synytsya A., Míčková K., Synytsya A., Jablonský I., Spěváček J., Erban V., Kováříková E., Čopíková J. Glucans from fruit bodies of cultivated mushrooms Pleurotus ostreatus and Pleurotus eryngii: Structure and potential prebiotic activity. Carbohydr. Polym. 2009;76:548–556. doi: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2008.11.021. DOI

Ma Z., Wang J., Zhang L. Structure and chain conformation of beta-glucan isolated from Auricularia auricula-judae. Biopolym. Orig. Res. Biomol. 2008;89:614–622. doi: 10.1002/bip.20971. PubMed DOI

Necas J., Bartosikova L., Brauner P., Kolar J. Hyaluronic Acid (Hyaluronan): A Review. Vet. Med. 2008;53:397–411. doi: 10.17221/1930-VETMED. DOI

Snetkov P., Zakharova K., Morozkina S., Olekhnovich R., Uspenskaya M. Hyaluronic Acid: The Influence of Molecular Weight on Structural, Physical, Physico-Chemical, and Degradable Properties of Biopolymer. Polymers. 2020;12:1800. doi: 10.3390/polym12081800. PubMed DOI PMC

Scott J.E., Cummings C., Brass A., Chen Y. Secondary and Tertiary structures of Hyaluronan in Aqueous Solution, Investigated by Rotary Shadowing-Electron Microscopy and Computer Simulation. Hyaluronan is a Very Efficient Network-Forming Polymer. Biochem. J. 1991;274:699–705. doi: 10.1042/bj2740699. PubMed DOI PMC

Patel B.K., Campanella O.H., Janaswamy S. Impact of Urea on the Three-Dimensional Structure, Viscoelastic and Thermal Behavior of Iota-Carrageenan. Carbohydr. Polym. 2013;92:1873–1879. doi: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2012.11.026. PubMed DOI PMC

Liao W.C., Hsueh C.Y., Chan C.F. Antioxidative Activity, Moisture Retention, Film Formation, and Viscosity Stability of Auricularia fuscosuccinea, White Strain Water Extract. Biosci. Biotechnol. Biochem. 2014;78:1029–1036. doi: 10.1080/09168451.2014.912113. PubMed DOI