Isolation of a galactomannan that enhances macrophage activation from the edible fungus Morchella esculenta

The edible mushroom Morchella esculenta is among the most highly prized and morphologically recognizable fungi in the world We describe the isolation from a polar extract of M esculenta carpophores of a high molecular weight galactomannan, about 1 0 million Da, that exhibits immunostimulatory activity At 3 0 mug/mL the galactomannan polysaccharide increased NF-kappa B directed luciferase expression in THIP 1 human monocytic cells to levels 50% of those achieved by maximal activating concentration (10 mug/mL) of lipopolysaccharide This galactomannan comprises about 2 0% of the dry fungal material weight and its glycosyl components include mannose (62 9%) and galactose (20 0%).