In order to overcome hypoxia induced sickness, a stable source of anti-hypoxia functional agents, Sehizophyllum commune fermented broth has been developed in this study. Animal experiments were conducted to examine its anti-hypoxia activities and possible mechanisms involved. The acute hypoxic experiment showed that Sehizophyllum commune fermented broth could significantly prolong the survival time of mice. The underlying mechanisms were associated with improved energy metabolism based on a study carried out in rats exposed to a low pressure chamber simulating the low pressure environment of 8 000 m altitude. It was concluded that the Schizophyllum commune fermented broth was an effective anti-hypoxia functional agent and could be greatly bene- ficial to those living and working at high altitudes, such as people who reside in the reconstruction regions of Yushu.
The schizophyllan from Schizophyllum commune was purified and characterized. The crude schizo-phyllan was obtained from Schizophyllum commune fermentation broth by decoloration with activated carbon,followed by deproteinization with Sevag method and ethanol precipitation. The pure schizophyllan was obtained by gel filtration chromatography with Sephacryl S-500,and its molecular characteristics were examined. The result showed that the molecular weight was 3.8×104 ,and the schizophyllan consisted of glucose with β-(1→6)-glucosidic linkages.
