Objective: To study the effects of companion fungus on hyphal growth and polysaccharide content of Polyporus umbellata.
Method: The mycelia and culture filtrate of companion fungus were added to the liquid culture system, and the biomass yield and polysaccharide of P. umbellatus were measured.
Result: Mycelia and appropriate unsterilized culture filtrate of companion fungus could enhance the biomass yield of P. umbellatus significantly, while sterilized culture filtrate of companion fungus could decrease the biomass yield of P. umbellatus significantly. Either mycelia or culture filtrate of companion fungus could increase the intracellular polysaccharide content of P. umbellatus significantly. At the same time, they also could decrease extracellular polysaccharide content of P. umbellatus evidently.
Conclusion: The mycelia and culture filtrate of companion fungus could be used in further fermentation of P. umbellatus.