Extraction, structure, biological activities of polysaccharides from tremella fuciformis: A review

Tremella is widely cultivated due to its rich nutritional value and health benefits. Polysaccharides are the key bioactive components of Tremella, which have demonstrated various bioactivities, including antioxidant, hypoglycemic, immunomodulatory, antitumor, anti-ageing and lipid-lowering effects, thereby garnering heightened interest. However, the limited understanding of Tremella polysaccharides has hindered their utilization. This paper reviews diverse extraction methods for Tremella polysaccharides, analyzes their structural composition, enumerates prevalent structural modification methods, and explains their bioactive mechanisms from a molecular perspective. Furthermore, its application prospects in functional foods and pharmaceutical development are evaluated, and future research directions are delineated. This review aims to provide a scientific foundation and reference for the comprehensive overview and application of Tremella polysaccharides.