Abstract
Methylation analysis, glucanase treatments and partial acid hydrolysis of the glucans prepared from Grifola umbellata, Ganoderma lucidum, Coriolus versicolor and Omphalia lapidescence were effective for the examination of the relationship between the chemical structure and antitumor activity. Minimum common unit of these antitumor active glucans should be C-6 branched (1-3)-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-3)-β-D-glucopyranosyl residues. Especially, branching frequency seems to be important for the activity.
