Polysaccharides production from the fruiting body of Tricholoma matsutake was carried out using enzyme assisted extraction methodology. Response surface methodology (RSM), based on a five level, four variable central composite design (CCD), was employed to obtain the best possible combination of extraction temperature (X-1: 54-66 degrees C), extraction pH (X-2: 3.6-4.4), extraction time (X-3: 2.4-3.6 h), and complex enzyme (the ratio of papain:pectinase:cellulase was 1:1:1) amount (X-4: 1.6-2.4%) for maximum polysaccharides production. The experimental data obtained were fitted to a second-order polynomial equation using multiple regression analysis and also were analyzed by analysis of variance (ANOVA). The 3-D response surface plot and the contour plot derived from the mathematical models were applied to determine the optimal conditions. The optimum extraction conditions were: extraction temperature of 61.8 degrees C, extraction pH of 4.14, extraction time of 3.2 h, and complex enzyme amount of 2.1% (w/v). Under these conditions, the experimental yield of polysaccharides was 7.53 +/- 0.26%, which is well in close agreement with the value predicted by the model. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.