Strengths and weaknesses of the aniline-blue method used to test mushroom (1→3)-β-d-glucans obtained by microwave-assisted extractions

The parameters to extract polysaccharide-enriched fractions (PEF) from mushrooms using MAE (microwave-assisted extraction) were adjusted following a full factorial 32 experimental design. The highest yield and total carbohydrate values, using Lentinula edodes as model mushroom, were obtained at 180 °C and 30 min. Several mushroom species were submitted to MAE and their PEF yields ranged between 12.1–44.2%. (1→3)-β-Glucans determination using a...