Moisturizing Mechanisms of Tremella fuciformis Polysaccharides: From Polysaccharide Structure and Hydration Rheology to Dynamic Film Formation on the Skin Surface
Moisturizing Mechanisms of Tremella fuciformis Polysaccharides: From Polysaccharide Structure and Hydration Rheology to Dynamic Film Formation on the Skin Surface
1 Sources and Raw-Material Composition of Tremella fuciformis Polysaccharides
1.1 Where Do Tremella fuciformis Polysaccharides Come From?
Tremella fuciformis polysaccharides may be present in the fruiting bodies, mycelia, spore cultures, and submerged fermentation systems of Tremella fuciformis. Raw materials for skincare applications are usually obtained through aqueous extraction of fruiting bodies or microbial submerged fermentation. Depending on the raw-material type and purification requirements, the subsequent processing may include solid–liquid separation, concentration, alcohol precipitation, deproteinization, desalting, purification, and drying.
According to their source and degree of purification, Tremella fuciformis polysaccharide raw materials can be divided into the following types:
Raw-Material Type | Compositional Characteristics | Key Performance-Evaluation Parameters |
Crude polysaccharides extracted from fruiting bodies | Contain multiple acidic and neutral polysaccharides and may also contain proteins, salts, and low-molecular-weight components | Total sugar content, uronic acid content, protein content, and ash |
Purified fractions from fruiting bodies | Relatively well-defined molecular weight, monosaccharide composition, and linkage patterns | Fine structure, chain conformation, and rheological properties |
Submerged-fermentation polysaccharides | Mainly extracellular polysaccharides derived from the culture medium | Strain, culture conditions, and batch-to-batch consistency |
Degraded or fractionated polysaccharides | Relatively narrow molecular-weight range | Differences in chain length, viscosity, film formation, and water retention |
Different Tremella fuciformis polysaccharide raw materials do not have identical chemical structures. They may include acidic heteropolysaccharides, neutral heteropolysaccharides, extracellular polysaccharides, and cell-wall polysaccharides. Their source, strain, and extraction conditions can alter molecular weight, monosaccharide composition, degree of branching, and uronic acid content.[1–3]
1.2 Which Raw-Material Parameters Affect Skincare Performance?
Raw-Material Parameter | Main Effect |
Molecular weight and its distribution | Affect hydrodynamic volume, solution viscosity, chain entanglement, stringiness, and film formation |
Monosaccharide composition | Affects the types and proportions of polar groups and is associated with interchain interactions |
Glucuronic acid content | Affects negative charge density, ionic hydration, and salt sensitivity |
Main-chain length and degree of branching | Affect chain conformation, overlap concentration, and molecular arrangement within the film |
Residual protein | May affect adsorption at the oil–water interface and emulsifying activity |
Inorganic salt content | May screen polysaccharide charges and alter viscosity and aggregation state |
Degree of extraction and degradation | Affects glycosidic-bond integrity and final chain length |
2 Chemical Structure of Tremella fuciformis Polysaccharides
2.1 Representative Acidic Tremella fuciformis Polysaccharides
A well-studied class of acidic polysaccharides from the fruiting bodies of Tremella fuciformis consists of glucuronoxylomannans. Their structures generally contain a main chain composed of α-(1→3)-D-mannose residues, with side chains containing glucuronic acid, xylose, fucose, and other residues.
A study of the purified fraction TFP-F1 showed that it had a molecular weight of approximately 1.87 × 10³ kDa and was composed of mannose, glucuronic acid, xylose, and fucose. Its main chain consisted of α-(1→3)-D-mannose residues. Some main-chain mannose residues were substituted at O-2 with β-D-glucuronic acid, whereas others were substituted at O-2 with β-D-xylose; some xylose residues were further substituted at O-2 with α-L-fucose. Some mannose residues were O-6-acetylated.[1]
The representative structure can be simplified as follows:
α-(1→3)-mannan main chain → glucuronic acid or xylose attached to O-2 of main-chain mannose → fucose attached to O-2 of some xylose residues → O-6 acetylation of some mannose residues
This structure corresponds to a specific purified fraction and does not represent all Tremella fuciformis polysaccharides. Fermented Tremella fuciformis polysaccharides may also occur as neutral polysaccharides without uronic acids. For example, a purified polysaccharide obtained from a GCMCC5.39 fermentation system mainly contained galactose, mannose, glucose, galactosamine, and glucosamine and was identified as a neutral pyranose-form polysaccharide without uronic acids.[3]
2.2 How Structure Is Translated into Raw-Material Properties
Structural Feature | Molecular-Level Function | Effect on Raw-Material Properties |
Abundant hydroxyl groups | Form dynamic hydrogen bonds with water | Increase hydration and moisture-absorption capacity |
Carboxyl groups of glucuronic acid | Form hydrated carboxylate layers after ionization | Increase negative charge and ionic hydration |
Long polymer chains | Occupy a large hydrodynamic volume | Produce thickening, entanglement, and film formation |
Branched structure | Alters chain-segment arrangement and intermolecular contact | Affects chain conformation, solubility, and film structure |
Acetyl groups and other substituents | Alter local hydrophilicity–hydrophobicity and interchain interactions | Affect aggregation, conformation, and material properties |
The carboxyl groups in acidic Tremella fuciformis polysaccharides can ionize:
—COOH ⇌ —COO⁻ + H⁺
The resulting carboxylate groups can retain water molecules through charge–dipole interactions and attract counterions surrounded by hydration shells. This mechanism mainly applies to acidic Tremella fuciformis polysaccharides containing glucuronic acid. Hydration of neutral fermented polysaccharides mainly depends on hydroxyl groups, amino sugars, and other polar groups.
3 Hydration and Moisturizing Mechanisms of Tremella fuciformis Polysaccharides
3.1 States of Water around the Polysaccharide
After Tremella fuciformis polysaccharides enter the aqueous phase, different water molecules do not have the same degree of motional freedom. According to the extent of restriction, the water can be conceptually divided into the following three levels:
Water State | Location | Motional Characteristics |
More strongly bound water | Close to hydroxyl groups, carboxylate groups, and counterions | Molecular motion is relatively strongly restricted |
Constrained water | Near polysaccharide chains or within interchain networks | Remains mobile, but diffusion is slower |
Relatively free water | Within larger network spaces | Mobility approaches that of bulk water |
There are no fixed boundaries between these three water states, and water molecules continuously exchange between them. The water-binding effect of Tremella fuciformis polysaccharides mainly reflects the ability of their hydrophilic groups to alter the distribution and motional state of water around the sugar chains, rather than permanently immobilizing water.
3.2 Molecular Hydration and Network-Mediated Water Retention
The moisturizing action of Tremella fuciformis polysaccharides consists of two continuous levels:
Moisturizing Level | Core Mechanism | Main Result |
Molecular hydration | Hydrogen bonding by hydroxyl groups and ionic hydration of carboxylates | Increases the probability that water remains close to the sugar chains |
Network-mediated water retention | Overlap and entanglement of long chains, together with localized increases in viscosity | Lengthens water-diffusion pathways and slows water migration |
The process can be expressed as follows:
Hydrophilic groups form hydration layers → polysaccharide chains occupy a large hydrodynamic volume → chains begin to overlap as concentration increases → interpenetration and entanglement increase as concentration rises further → water diffusion and convection slow down
A study of Tremella fuciformis glucuronoxylomannan showed that the polysaccharide adopted a flexible-chain conformation in 0.15 mol/L sodium chloride at pH 7.4, with a persistence length of approximately 9.20 nm and a chain diameter of approximately 0.97 nm. The critical overlap concentration of the sample was approximately 5.3 mg/mL. Once this concentration was reached, the polysaccharide chains began to overlap substantially. As the concentration increased further, interchain entanglement and viscoelastic contributions could gradually increase.[2]
These values apply to a specific purified fraction under defined test conditions. The critical overlap concentration of Tremella fuciformis polysaccharides varies with molecular weight, degree of branching, and ionic environment.
3.3 Effects of Molecular Weight on Hydration and Film Formation
Property | Higher-Molecular-Weight Fractions | Lower-Molecular-Weight Fractions |
Hydrodynamic volume | Usually larger | Usually smaller |
Chain overlap and entanglement | Occur more readily | Require higher concentrations |
Effect on formulation viscosity | Usually more pronounced | Usually weaker |
Film continuity | May be greater | May be lower |
Risk of stringiness | Relatively high | Relatively low |
Penetration into the stratum corneum | Intact macromolecules mainly remain on the surface | Whether they enter the stratum corneum still requires experimental confirmation |
A higher molecular weight is not necessarily always preferable. Higher-molecular-weight fractions are favorable for thickening and film formation, but excessive addition may increase stringiness, a gummy feel, and film sensation. Lower-molecular-weight fractions have less influence on viscosity, but their chain-entanglement and continuous film-forming capacities may also be reduced.
A study of fermented Tremella fuciformis polysaccharides obtained two fractions with molecular weights of approximately 25.7 kDa and 177.3 kDa. Under the corresponding test conditions, the 177.3 kDa fraction showed relatively favorable effects on reducing water loss and increasing epidermal hydration.[3]
3.4 Skin-Cell-Related Studies
In an immortalized human keratinocyte (HaCaT) model, the 177.3 kDa fermented Tremella fuciformis polysaccharide fraction described above increased the mRNA expression of aquaporin 3 (AQP3), transglutaminase 1 (TGM1), caspase 14 (CASP14), hyaluronidase 2 (HYAL2), and filaggrin (FLG). The study also observed that 50 μg/mL FTPS-2 had a relatively pronounced effect on HYAL2 protein expression.[3]
These results were obtained using a specific fermentation strain, purified fraction, and in vitro cell model. They mainly suggest that the sample may affect processes related to water transport, keratinization and differentiation, and hyaluronan metabolism in keratinocytes, but they cannot be directly equated with improved moisturization or barrier function in human skin. The more direct skincare effects of Tremella fuciformis polysaccharides remain centered on hydration, rheology, and film formation at the skin surface.
4 Rheological and Application Properties of Tremella fuciformis Polysaccharides
4.1 Shear Thinning
Tremella fuciformis polysaccharide solutions generally exhibit shear-thinning behavior, meaning that their apparent viscosity decreases as the shear rate increases.
The molecular process can be expressed as follows:
Random coiling and entanglement of long chains at rest → application shear causes partial chain-segment alignment → temporary entanglements decrease → apparent viscosity decreases → chain conformation may gradually recover after shear stops
Pronounced shear thinning and concentration-dependent viscoelastic changes have been observed in solutions of Tremella fuciformis glucuronoxylomannan. As the concentration increased, the system gradually shifted from a predominantly viscous response toward a more pronounced elastic contribution.[2]
4.2 Rheological Characteristics and Sensory Properties
Stage of Use | State of the Polysaccharide Chains | Possible Sensory or Application Performance |
Product at rest | Chain segments are randomly coiled and overlap with one another | Maintains a certain consistency and reduces rapid flow |
During application | Chain segments align along the direction of flow | Apparent viscosity decreases and spreading resistance is reduced |
After application | Chain conformation may gradually recover | May help the liquid film remain on the skin surface |
When the finger leaves the skin | The liquid film is stretched vertically | Stringiness and adhesion may occur |
After water evaporation | The polysaccharide concentration increases and film formation begins | May produce softness, a film sensation, or tightness |
5 Dynamic Hydration Film Formation by Tremella fuciformis Polysaccharides and Its Moisturizing Effects
5.1 How a Dynamic Hydration Film Forms
After a Tremella fuciformis polysaccharide solution is applied to the skin surface, water gradually evaporates and the local polysaccharide concentration increases. At low concentrations, the polysaccharide chains are mainly dispersed in the aqueous phase. Once the concentration rises into the range in which the molecular chains begin to overlap, contact and entanglement between different sugar chains increase, and a continuous or locally continuous hydrophilic film may gradually form.
Tremella fuciformis polysaccharides can adopt flexible-chain conformations in water. As the concentration increases, chain overlap occurs, followed by the formation of a transient entanglement system.[2] Whether the film forms uniformly and continuously also depends on the molecular weight and concentration of the polysaccharide, the drying rate, and the polyols, emulsification system, and other film-forming or thickening components in the formulation.
This film-forming process mainly depends on polymer concentration, interchain entanglement, and noncovalent interactions. It does not indicate the formation of a permanent chemically crosslinked network. The film still retains water that is constrained by the polysaccharide chains to varying degrees, and its water content and chain-segment state continue to change with environmental humidity and time after application.
Based on the structural, hydration, and rheological characteristics described above, the action of Tremella fuciformis polysaccharides on the skin surface can be summarized as follows: hydrophilic groups first form hydration layers; as the local concentration increases, the polysaccharide chains undergo overlap and transient entanglement and may form a dynamic hydration film with a certain degree of water-vapor permeability on the skin surface, as illustrated below. The polysaccharide structure and water states shown in the figure are mechanistic representations. They do not indicate that all Tremella fuciformis polysaccharides possess the same precise repeating structure, nor do they imply that water forms fixed, sharply defined regions in the actual system.
5.2 How Water within the Film Affects Softness and Tightness
The softness of a Tremella fuciformis polysaccharide film is not fixed but is closely related to the water content within the film.
Water and polyols such as glycerol and propylene glycol can be distributed between the polysaccharide chains, reducing some direct contacts between sugar chains and redistributing interchain hydrogen bonds. Within an appropriate range, this plasticizing effect can increase chain-segment mobility and allow the film to deform more readily with the skin surface.
As the film continues to lose water, the polysaccharide chains gradually move closer together. Interchain contact, hydrogen bonding, and physical constraints increase, restricting chain-segment motion. The film may consequently become more rigid and undergo contraction.
Film State | Changes in Polysaccharide Chains | Film Performance | Possible Skin Sensation |
An appropriate amount of water or polyols is retained | A certain distance is maintained between chains, some interchain hydrogen bonds are redistributed, and chain segments remain mobile | The film is softer, has greater extensibility, and shows less drying shrinkage | Soft and moisturized feel with less tightness |
Continued water loss | Interchain distance decreases, while interchain contact and physical constraints increase | Rigidity and contraction tendency increase, and extensibility decreases | A film sensation or tightness may occur |
Excessive water content or polyol dosage | Drying and setting of the polysaccharide system slow down, and interchain constraints weaken | Surface dryness and film stability may decrease | Wet tackiness, stringiness, or residual tackiness may occur |
A higher polyol dosage is not necessarily always preferable. The actual state of the Tremella fuciformis polysaccharide film is jointly determined by the polyol dosage, polysaccharide molecular weight, degree of raw-material purification, film thickness, and overall formulation.
5.3 How the Hydrophilic Film Slows Water Migration
The film formed by Tremella fuciformis polysaccharides is a hydrophilic dynamic film rather than a completely water-impermeable hydrophobic occlusive layer.
Hydroxyl groups on the polysaccharide chains and carboxylate groups in acidic fractions can maintain hydration layers. The network formed by overlapping long chains increases resistance to water diffusion, requiring water to follow a more tortuous path as it migrates outward.
Therefore, the moisturizing effects of Tremella fuciformis polysaccharides are mainly reflected in the following:
① Maintaining hydration around the polysaccharide chains;
② Slowing rapid water migration through the polymer network;
③ Helping prolong water residence on the surface of the stratum corneum;
④ Under appropriate conditions of film thickness, humidity, and formulation, potentially delaying rather than completely blocking water loss.
The water-vapor permeability of the film is also affected by film thickness, water content, polyol concentration, molecular weight, degree of branching, and environmental humidity. If the oil phase in the formulation forms a relatively continuous hydrophobic covering on the skin surface, it may further slow the migration of water toward the air.
Tremella fuciformis polysaccharides can alter the extensibility and water-vapor transmission of starch-based composite films, indicating that they can participate in regulating film structure and mass-transfer properties. However, these findings were obtained from packaging composite films and cannot be used directly as a quantitative basis for films on the skin surface.[5]
5.4 Effects of the Dynamic Hydration Film on Surface Feel
The skin surface contains fine structures such as furrows, ridges, and corneocyte edges. After Tremella fuciformis polysaccharides form a hydrated film, the film may cover some surface microtextures and reduce direct contact between the fingers or other contacting surfaces and raised areas of the stratum corneum.
During application or touching, the water and polysaccharide chains within the film can flow and deform, thereby modulating sliding resistance at the surface. The process can be summarized as follows:
Formation of a hydrated polysaccharide film → reduction in direct contact with some rough surface features → modulation of sliding resistance → contribution to a softer and smoother surface feel
The actual sensory properties are also affected by polysaccharide molecular weight, addition level, water content within the film, polyols, oil phase, and other thickening or film-forming components.
Direct tribological studies of Tremella fuciformis polysaccharide films on the skin remain limited. Their specific lubricating effects require confirmation through measurements of the coefficient of friction, film thickness, and humidity dependence on skin or skin-mimicking surfaces.
6 Role of Tremella fuciformis Polysaccharides in Oil-Containing Formulations
Tremella fuciformis polysaccharides are mainly distributed in the aqueous phase of a formulation and in hydrated films on the skin surface, whereas formulation oils and natural sebum mainly form hydrophobic regions. Under conventional skincare conditions, Tremella fuciformis polysaccharides and oils primarily undergo physical contact and interfacial interactions and generally do not participate in pronounced, rapid covalent reactions.
After application, Tremella fuciformis polysaccharide hydration films, polyols, emulsifiers, formulation oils, and natural sebum may coexist on the skin surface, forming a composite surface layer containing both hydrophilic and hydrophobic regions. Their principal roles are as follows:
Component | Main Location of Action | Main Function |
Tremella fuciformis polysaccharides | Aqueous phase and hydrophilic surface film | Hydration, thickening, film formation, and slowing of water migration |
Polyols | Aqueous phase and spaces between polysaccharide chains | Moisturization and regulation of polysaccharide-film softness |
Formulation oils and natural sebum | Oil phase and hydrophobic surface regions | Provide emolliency and slow water evaporation when a continuous covering is formed |
Emulsifiers | Oil–water interface | Reduce interfacial tension and maintain oil-droplet dispersion |
In emulsions, Tremella fuciformis polysaccharides mainly provide auxiliary stabilization by increasing the viscosity of the continuous aqueous phase and slowing the movement, collision, and coalescence of oil droplets. If the polysaccharides can approach the oil-droplet interface or associate with proteins and other interfacial polymers, they may also participate in constructing an interfacial layer.
Different Tremella fuciformis polysaccharide samples vary in molecular weight, residual protein content, and degree of purification, and their emulsifying activity and auxiliary stabilizing effects may therefore differ. The pH, salt concentration, and multivalent ions can also alter polysaccharide-chain conformation, system viscosity, and interfacial interactions.[4]
7 Comparison of Tremella fuciformis Polysaccharides and Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid (HA) and Tremella fuciformis polysaccharides are both hydrophilic polymers, but they differ substantially in chemical structure, source, and consistency of raw-material composition.[6]
Comparison Item | Tremella fuciformis Polysaccharides | Hyaluronic Acid |
Chemical class | Fungal heteropolysaccharides | Glycosaminoglycan |
Typical backbone | Representative acidic fractions contain an α-(1→3)-mannan main chain with side chains | Linear main chain composed of regularly repeating disaccharides |
Principal monosaccharides | Commonly include mannose, xylose, glucuronic acid, and fucose | D-glucuronic acid and N-acetyl-D-glucosamine |
Branching | Representative fractions are branched | Generally unbranched |
Source of negative charge | Carboxyl groups of glucuronic acid in acidic fractions | Carboxyl groups of glucuronic acid in each repeating disaccharide |
Structural consistency | Strongly affected by strain, raw-material source, culture method, and purification process | Repeating disaccharide structure is relatively uniform, although molecular weight and its distribution may vary |
Endogenous presence in humans | Not an intrinsic major component of the human extracellular matrix | An important component of the human extracellular matrix |
Principal physical functions | Hydration, thickening, film formation, and rheological regulation | Hydration, viscoelastic regulation, and surface film formation |
Key raw-material evaluation parameters | Monosaccharide composition, uronic acid content, molecular weight, branching characteristics, and residual protein | Molecular weight and its distribution, salt form, purity, and impurity levels |
8 Classification and Research Applications of Representative Chemicals Related to Tremella fuciformis Polysaccharides
Note: The products listed below include core Tremella fuciformis polysaccharide raw materials, structural monosaccharide references, materials for moisturization and film-formation studies, ionic-environment and sebum-interface models, and reagents for compositional analysis and quality evaluation. These products are mainly intended for chemical analysis, rheological studies, film experiments, in vitro models, or laboratory formulation research.
Table 1 Core Tremella fuciformis Polysaccharide Raw Materials and Structural Monosaccharide References
Classification | CAS No. | Aladdin Catalog No. | Name | Specification or Purity | Product Features and Applications |
Core fungal polysaccharide raw material | 9075-53-0 | Tremella fuciformis Polysaccharide | Molecular weight <1,000,000 Da; cosmetic grade | A core raw material for studies of Tremella fuciformis polysaccharide hydration, chain conformation, rheology, water retention, dynamic film formation, and moisturization at the skin surface. | |
Monosaccharide reference for the mannan main chain | 3458-28-4 | D-(+)-Mannose | Moligand™, ≥99% | Used to confirm the mannan main-chain composition of Tremella fuciformis polysaccharides and as a reference for the analysis and quantification of monosaccharides released by acid hydrolysis. | |
Monosaccharide reference for xylose side chains | 58-86-6 | D-Xylose | Moligand™, ≥99% | Used to identify xylose-containing side chains in Tremella fuciformis polysaccharides and for monosaccharide chromatographic analysis and branched-structure studies. | |
Monosaccharide reference for acidic side chains | 6556-12-3 | D-Glucuronic Acid | Moligand™, ≥98% | Used to study glucuronic acid composition, uronic acid content, carboxyl-group ionization, and ionic hydration in acidic Tremella fuciformis polysaccharides. | |
Monosaccharide reference for fucose side chains | 2438-80-4 | L-Fucose | Low endotoxin, Moligand™, ≥99% | Used to identify terminal or side-chain fucose residues in Tremella fuciformis polysaccharides and for monosaccharide compositional analysis and structural comparison. | |
Monosaccharide reference for fermented polysaccharides | 59-23-4 | D-(+)-Galactose | High-purity grade, ≥99% | Used to determine galactose in fermented Tremella fuciformis polysaccharides and for monosaccharide quantification and structural studies of neutral heteropolysaccharides. | |
Monosaccharide reference for fermented polysaccharides | 50-99-7 | D-(+)-Glucose | Anhydrous grade, UltraBio™, ≥99.5% (HPLC), sum of enantiomers | Used to determine glucose in fermented Tremella fuciformis polysaccharides and as a reference for the analysis and quantification of acid-hydrolysis products. | |
Amino-sugar compositional reference | 66-84-2 | D-(+)-Glucosamine Hydrochloride | ≥99% | Used for compositional identification, derivatization analysis, and monosaccharide quantification of fermented Tremella fuciformis polysaccharides containing amino sugars. | |
Amino-sugar compositional reference | 1772-03-8 | D-Galactosamine Hydrochloride | ≥99% | Used to confirm galactosamine in fermented Tremella fuciformis polysaccharides and for amino-sugar analysis and structural comparison. |
Table 2 Materials for Moisturization, Plasticization, Rheology, and Composite Film-Formation Studies
Classification | CAS No. | Aladdin Catalog No. | Name | Specification or Purity | Product Features and Applications |
Polyol humectant and plasticizer | 56-81-5 | Glycerol | Anhydrous grade, UltraBio™, molecular biology grade, ≥99.5% (GC) | Used in composite moisturizing systems containing Tremella fuciformis polysaccharides and for studies of film plasticization, water state, flexibility, and drying shrinkage. | |
Polyol humectant and solvent | 57-55-6 | 1,2-Propanediol | AR, ≥99% | Used to regulate water activity, drying rate, solution flow properties, and the sensory properties of films formed by Tremella fuciformis polysaccharide systems. | |
Polyol humectant and plasticizer | 107-88-0 | 1,3-Butanediol | Anhydrous grade, ≥99% | Used for plasticization of Tremella fuciformis polysaccharide hydration films and for studies of formulation moisturization, viscosity regulation, and post-drying film feel. | |
Sugar-alcohol moisturizing reference | 50-70-4 | D432785 | D-Sorbitol | European Pharmacopoeia (Ph. Eur.), liquid | Used to study the combined hydration of sugar alcohols and Tremella fuciformis polysaccharides, water retention, and film-plasticization performance. |
Sugar-alcohol moisturizing reference | 87-99-0 | Xylitol | Pharmaceutical grade | Used as a low-molecular-weight sugar-alcohol moisturizing reference and for studies of composite hydration and water states within Tremella fuciformis polysaccharide films. | |
Linear polysaccharide hydration reference | 9004-61-9 | Hyaluronic Acid | Moligand™, from rooster comb | Used to compare Tremella fuciformis polysaccharides with linear glycosaminoglycans in terms of structure, hydration, viscoelasticity, entanglement, and film formation. | |
Linear polysaccharide salt-form reference | 9067-32-7 | Sodium Hyaluronate | European Pharmacopoeia (Ph. Eur.) | Used as a reference for anionic-polysaccharide hydration, salt-form effects, solution rheology, and moisturization at the skin surface. | |
Composite-film matrix material | 9005-25-8 | Corn Starch | Reagent grade | Used to prepare Tremella fuciformis polysaccharide composite films and to study tensile strength, elongation at break, water solubility, and water-vapor permeability. |
Table 3 Products for pH and Ionic Environments, Emulsification Systems, and Sebum Models
Classification | CAS No. | Aladdin Catalog No. | Name | Specification or Purity | Product Features and Applications |
Oil-in-water emulsification-system component | 9005-65-6 | Tween® 80 | Viscous liquid, preservative-free, low peroxide; low carbonyl content | Used to construct oil-in-water emulsion models and investigate the effects of Tremella fuciformis polysaccharides on continuous-aqueous-phase viscosity, oil-droplet dispersion, and emulsion stability. | |
Oil-phase emulsification-system component | 1338-43-8 | Span 80 | Viscosity 1,000–2,000 mPa·s at 20 °C | Used in combination with hydrophilic emulsifiers to construct emulsion systems and study the coordinated effects of Tremella fuciformis polysaccharide hydration networks and oil–water interfaces. | |
Acidic-condition regulator | 7647-01-0 | H485680 | Fuming Hydrochloric Acid, 37% (controlled precursor chemical) | Guaranteed reagent, suitable for analysis, max. 0.001 ppm Hg | Used to adjust the pH of Tremella fuciformis polysaccharide solutions and to study chain conformation, carboxyl-group protonation, and stability under acidic conditions. |
Alkaline-condition regulator | 1310-73-2 | Sodium Hydroxide | BP, low endotoxin, European Pharmacopoeia (Ph. Eur.), NF, ≥98%, pellets | Used to adjust the pH of Tremella fuciformis polysaccharide systems and to study carboxyl-group ionization, chain expansion, and viscosity changes. | |
Monovalent-ion environment reference | 7647-14-5 | Sodium Chloride | Anhydrous grade, reagent grade, high-purity grade, ≥99% | Used to investigate the effects of ionic strength and charge screening on the chain conformation, entanglement, viscosity, and hydration behavior of acidic Tremella fuciformis polysaccharides. | |
Divalent-ion environment reference | 10043-52-4 | Calcium Chloride | Anhydrous grade, ≥97% | Used to study interactions between divalent ions and polysaccharide carboxylates, interchain bridging, aggregation, and rheological changes. | |
Acidic-buffer-system component | 77-92-9 | Anhydrous Citric Acid Powder | Anhydrous grade, UltraBio™, ≥99.5% (T) | Used to construct citrate buffer systems and study the effects of pH on the dissolution, hydration, rheology, and emulsion stability of Tremella fuciformis polysaccharides. | |
Buffer salt and ionic-strength regulator | 6132-04-3 | Trisodium Citrate Dihydrate | European Pharmacopoeia (Ph. Eur.), suitable for analysis, ACS, guaranteed grade | Used with citric acid to prepare buffer systems and to regulate pH and the ionic environment in Tremella fuciformis polysaccharide experiments. | |
Sebum free-fatty-acid model | 112-80-1 | Oleic Acid | European Pharmacopoeia (Ph. Eur.), ≥65% | Used to construct a sebum free-fatty-acid model and study the effects of Tremella fuciformis polysaccharide hydration films on oil-phase spreading and interfacial states. | |
Sebum triglyceride model | 122-32-7 | Glyceryl Trioleate | ≥99% | Used to simulate the triglyceride fraction of sebum and to study polysaccharide hydration films, emulsification systems, and oil-droplet stability. | |
Sebum wax-ester model | 540-10-3 | GMP1491628 | Cetyl Palmitate 15 (Palmitate Wax) | PharmPure™, European Pharmacopoeia (Ph. Eur.), NF | Used to simulate the wax-ester fraction of sebum and study the distribution and interfacial interactions between aqueous Tremella fuciformis polysaccharide films and hydrophobic lipid layers. |
Sebum sterol model | 57-88-5 | C432975 | Cholesterol, from Lanolin | PharmPure™, JP, BP, European Pharmacopoeia (Ph. Eur.), NF, ultrapure grade | Used to construct sebum and stratum-corneum lipid models and study the physical interfacial relationship between Tremella fuciformis polysaccharide films and sterol lipids. |
Sebum hydrocarbon model | 111-02-4 | Squalene | Moligand™, ≥98% | Used to simulate the squalene fraction of sebum and investigate the effects of Tremella fuciformis polysaccharide hydration films on hydrophobic oil-phase spreading and surface lubrication. |
Table 4 Reagents for Compositional Analysis and Quality Evaluation of Tremella fuciformis Polysaccharides
Classification | CAS No. | Aladdin Catalog No. | Name | Specification or Purity | Product Features and Applications |
Polysaccharide acid-hydrolysis reagent | 76-05-1 | Trifluoroacetic Acid (TFA) | AR, ≥99% | Used for acid hydrolysis of Tremella fuciformis polysaccharides, monosaccharide release, and subsequent analysis of monosaccharide composition and linkage structure. | |
Polysaccharide precipitation and fractionation reagent | 64-17-5 | E111989 | Ethanol | Guaranteed reagent, water ≤0.3% | Used for alcohol precipitation and fractional purification of Tremella fuciformis polysaccharides, removal of low-molecular-weight impurities, and preparation of different fractions. |
Precolumn derivatization reagent for monosaccharides | 89-25-8 | 1-Phenyl-3-methyl-5-pyrazolone (PMP) | Moligand™, ≥99% | Used for precolumn derivatization, chromatographic separation, and quantitative compositional analysis of monosaccharides released by hydrolysis of Tremella fuciformis polysaccharides. | |
Total-sugar colorimetric reagent | 108-95-2 | Phenol | UltraBio™, molecular biology grade, ≥99.5% | Used to determine the total sugar content of Tremella fuciformis polysaccharides and extracts using the phenol–sulfuric acid method. | |
Medium for total-sugar and uronic-acid determination | 7664-93-9 | S468049 | Sulfuric Acid, 95–98% (controlled precursor chemical) | PharmPure™, BP, European Pharmacopoeia (Ph. Eur.), JPE, NF, 95–98% | Used in total-sugar colorimetric reactions, uronic-acid determination, and chemical-composition analysis of polysaccharide samples. |
Total-sugar colorimetric reagent | 90-44-8 | Anthrone | AR | Used to determine total sugars or soluble sugars in Tremella fuciformis polysaccharide samples using the anthrone–sulfuric acid method. | |
Uronic-acid colorimetric reagent | 580-51-8 | 3-Phenylphenol | ≥97% | Used to determine uronic acid content in acidic Tremella fuciformis polysaccharides using the hydroxydiphenyl colorimetric method. | |
Auxiliary reagent for uronic-acid determination | 1303-96-4 | Sodium Tetraborate Decahydrate | BioReagent, ≥99.5% | Used in uronic-acid colorimetric determination systems and for studies of buffer conditions and analytical reaction media. | |
Reagent for residual-protein determination | 6104-58-1 | Coomassie Brilliant Blue G-250 | AR | Used for colorimetric determination of residual proteins and purity evaluation in Tremella fuciformis polysaccharide raw materials and purified fractions. |
Note: The products listed above are representative Aladdin products related to scientific and formulation research. Additional product specifications, grades, and Certificates of Analysis can be found on the Aladdin website by searching by product name, CAS number, or catalog number.
References
[1] Huang T Y, Yang F L, Chiu H W, et al. An Immunological Polysaccharide from Tremella fuciformis: Essential Role of Acetylation in Immunomodulation. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2022, 23(18): 10392. DOI: 10.3390/ijms231810392.
[2] Xu X, Chen A, Ge X, Li S, Zhang T, Xu H. Chain Conformation and Physicochemical Properties of Polysaccharide (Glucuronoxylomannan) from Fruit Bodies of Tremella fuciformis. Carbohydrate Polymers, 2020, 245: 116354. DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2020.116354.
[3] Yang M, Zhang Z, He Y, Li C, Wang J, Ma X. Study on the Structure Characterization and Moisturizing Effect of Tremella Polysaccharide Fermented from GCMCC5.39. Food Science and Human Wellness, 2021, 10(4): 471–479. DOI: 10.1016/j.fshw.2021.04.009.
[4] Tian L, Roos Y H, Gómez-Mascaraque L G, Lu X, Miao S. Tremella fuciformis Polysaccharides: Extraction, Physicochemical, and Emulsion Properties at Different pHs. Polymers, 2023, 15(7): 1771. DOI: 10.3390/polym15071771.
[5] Fu Z Q, Guo S X, Wang X Y, Huang Z G, Bi C H, Li F F, Wu M. Structural, Thermal, Mechanical, and Physicochemical Properties of Corn Starch and Tremella fuciformis Polysaccharide-Based Composite Films. Starch/Stärke, 2022, 74(3–4): e2100255. DOI: 10.1002/star.202100255.
[6] Maloney F P, Kuklewicz J, Corey R A, et al. Structure, Substrate Recognition and Initiation of Hyaluronan Synthase. Nature, 2022, 604: 195–201. DOI: 10.1038/s41586-022-04534-2.
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