Until recently, a variety of oligosaccharides from fruits, vegetables and mushrooms have demonstrated positive prebiotic effects. Ganoderma lucidum, a well-known traditional medicine and tonic in East Asia, has been utilized in the prevention and treatment of a broad range of illnesses. In this study, each of three oligosaccharides was obtained from the polysaccharide extraction by-products of sporoderm: the unbroken and broken spores of Ganoderma lucidum (UB-GLS, B-GLS). Their molecular weight distribution, monosaccharide composition and preliminary structures were analyzed using gel permeation chromatography (GPC), GC-MS, UV and FTIR, respectively. All of the oligosaccharides were found to exhibit prebiotic activities, evaluated by detecting growth stimulation on Lactobacillus in vitro. Among these, UB-O80 and B-O80 displayed the most significant effects (p < 0.05) in these groups, and UB-O80 showed higher resistance to hydrolysis by artificial human gastric juice compared with inulin, giving a maximum hydrolysis rate of 1.65%. Compared with inulin media, Lactobacillus also revealed high tolerance to lower pH levels and simulated gastric juices in UB-O80 and B-O80 media. Compared with a control in gut microbiota fermentation, the abundance of some beneficial bacteria increased and some harmful bacteria declined in the groups of UB-O80 and B-O80. In conclusion, the results suggest that GLS oligosaccharides could be exploited as promising prebiotics for the enhancement of human health.
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