Steam explosion-induced structural remodeling of Auricularia auricula polysaccharides enhances anti-aging efficacy in Drosophila melanogaster

by 28.44% in females and 22.08% in males. In fruit flies, AAP-SE enhanced antioxidant enzyme activities, increasing superoxide dismutase by 67.32% and glutathione peroxidase by 2.61-fold in males, while reducing malondialdehyde levels by 42.75% in females. Furthermore, fruit flies fed AAP-SE showed improved resistance to hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative stress and starvation stress, with gender-specific effects. These results suggested that SE pretreatment effectively enhanced the antioxidant and anti-aging activities of AAPs, suggesting their potential as natural lifespan-extending antioxidants.