They are polyhydroxy aldehydes or ketones or their derivatives.

They also called saccharides and classified to

monosaccharide
Can not be hydrolyzed Ex.: glucose, mannose

oligosaccharide
On hydrolysis yield 2-10 monosaccharides Ex.:lactose, sacrose

polysaccharide
On hydrolysis yield more than 10 monosaccharides

 Very important as they perform several biological function. Also called non sugarswith general formula Cx(H2O)y Based on the composition they are classified :

Homopolysaccharides
composed of single type of monosaccharide Ex.: Glycogen, Starch, Cellulose

Heteroopolysaccharides
Composed of more than one type of monosaccharide EX.:hyaluronic acid, dermatan sulpfate

 Based on the function they are classified into :

Storage polysaccharides
Help in storing food materials in plant & animals Ex: starch , glycogen

Structural polysaccharides
Help in maintaining mechanical shape & rigidity of cells Ex.: cellulose , chitin

 Mushrooms belong to the Fungi group . They are fleshy plants that grow from decaying materials. they cannot produce their own food because they do not have chlorophyll. Mushrooms have been valued throughout the world as both food and medicine for thousands of years. Its one of the healthiest food the fats in it mostly is unsaturated fatty acid which help in lower the cholesterol level.

1. Polysaccharide : (major component) 2. Terpenes , triterpenoids 3. Steroids , ergosterols 4. Protiens , vitamins(vit.B2 , vit. D) 5. Saturated fatty acids : linolenic acid 6. Minerals (magnesium, calcium, potassium )

Most mushroom polysaccharides are belonging to: -glucans composed of D-glucose monomers linked by -glycosidic linkage: -(1-3) in the main chain , -(1-6) as branching point

Lentinan structure

Mushroom origin

% of polysaccharide

Maitake Shiitake Reishi Yun-zhi Oyster Brazil mushroo m

Grifola Frondosa Lentinula edodes Ganoderma lucidum Coriolus versicolor Pleurotus ostreatus Agaricus blazei Murrill

30% 30% Lentinan 30% Ganoderan 30% 25% 40%

 Mushroom have no immune system and must create and secrete antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, and antiparasitic compounds to survive.  Mushroom polysaccharides have the ability to power up the immune system, strengthening its ability to fight infection and disease  Examples :
Schizophyllan Psk
Effective against

streptoccocus sp. E.coli

 Polysaccharides present in mushrooms such as lentinan and beta-glucan have been shown to shrink tumors and fight against a range of cancers .  Polysaccharides from mushrooms do not attack cancer cells directly, but produce their antitumor effects by activating different immune responses in the host.  Their activity is especially beneficial in clinics when used in conjunction with chemotherapy. Most of the clinical evidence for antitumor activity comes from the commercial polysaccharides lentinan, krestin, and schizophyllan.

 Research shows that a high-molecular polysaccharide present in maitake mushroom called the X-fraction could help to regulate blood glucose levels, thereby helping to improve diabetes symptoms.  Researchers suggest that this X-fraction can reduce insulin resistance, by increasing insulin sensitivity.

some mushrooms contain a compound called Eritadenine which has an ability to reduce blood cholesterol levels

As it contains polysaccharides and large amount of potassium .

It contain ergothioneine which is necessary for healthy eyes, liver and kidney.

Ganoderma lucidum

It is rare and hard to find in nature in China and Japan , is now commonly cultured. It can be cultured on logs that are buried in shady, moist areas.

G. lucidum is of particular interest because it has been portrayed as a "fix-it-all" herbal remedy for maladies such as: Cancer low blood pressure high blood pressure diabetes Rheumatism heart problems Asthma Tiredness hepatitis A, B, and C Insomnia Sterility Epilepsy alcoholism. Paralysis Ulcers

Its a genus of parasitic and saprobic mushroom characterized by unique look like sea spong or a brain Sparassis crispa

Korea,Japan ,USA and Australia. Has anti-tumour properties It containpolysaccharides which stimulate the immune system and inhibit growth of the 'superbug' MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus).

Agaricus blazei

Brazil

Have the more potent anticarcinogenic activity,inhibiting growth of tumor cells and absorbing the carcinogen , due to its major active component ( -glucan polysaccharides). It promote vital energy of human , blood-glucose and have blood cholesterol depressing activity. Improve atherosclerosis.

 All these Benefits of mushroom lead us to

consider it as " a treasure trove of bioactive compounds  due to its amazing components and their Great influence on human body as it support some of the major systems of the body, including nervous hormonal and immune systems as well as regulatory functions.  It is a natural tonic, its activity is normally comprehensive, they showed the roles of nourishing and strengthening the organism, improving the resistance and anti-senile activity.  Also mushroom polysaccharides appear to be well tolerated and compatible with chemotherapy and radiation therapy .

Prepared by : 1. Marina Adel Gaber 2. Marina Atef Kadees 3. Marina Emad Dawood 4. Marina Medhat Nadi 5. Marina Mamdouh Foad 6. Marina Nabil tawfik 7. Marina Nabil Fahmy 8. Mario Maged Shahed 9. Mario Mohey Kameel 10.Mazen Nagy Faheem 11.Michael Ghobrial Beshay 12.Michael Maher Botros