Structure of a polysaccharide from Trichoderma atroviride and its promotion on tanshinones production in Salvia miltiorrhiza hairy roots

This study evaluates the chemical structure of a heteropolysaccharide (PSF-W-1) from the endophytic fungus Trichoderma atroviride and its effects on the production of tanshinones in Salvia miltiorrhiza hairy roots. The total carbohydrate content of isolated PSF-W-1 was determined to be 97.72%. PSF-W-1 has a relative molecular weight of 36.13 kDa and contains mannose, glucose and galactose in molar ratios of 1.00: 4.86: 2.25. Through methylation analysis, IR and NMR, PSF-W-1 was determined to possess a backbone of -> 4)-beta-D-Glcp-(1 -> 6)-alpha-D-Galp-(1 -> 4)-beta-D-Manp-(1 -> 6)-alpha-D-Galp-(1 -> with two side chains beta-D-Glcp-(1 -> 4)-beta-D-Glcp-(1 -> attached to O3 of 1,6-alpha-D-Galp. Bioactivity tests suggested that PSF-W-1 was responsible for boosting the S. miltiorrhiza hairy root growth and the biosynthesis of dihydrotanshinone I, tanshinone I, tanshinone IIA and cryptotanshinone in hairy roots. According to this study, PSF-W-1 might be utilized as a potent stimulator of tanshinones synthesis.