Statistical optimization of fermentation conditions for metabolites production by Lentinus edodes and investigation of anticancer activity

The investigation was carried out to increase polysaccharide yield utilizing statistical strategies, starting with submerge and shifting to solid-state fermentation, with the main aim of promoting the anticancer properties of Lentinus edodes (shiitake) fruit and exploring the rheological properties of polysaccharide. The Plackett–Burman (P.B) screening indicated that wheat starch, meat peptone, and vitamin B6 had a more pronounced impacted on polysaccharide production than the other substrates. The optimal substrates for polysaccharide production, identified using response surface methodology (RSM) after screening, was revealed to contain 48.56 g/l wheat starch, 15 g/l meat peptone, and 300 µg B6 vitamins. Shiitake polysaccharide solutions exhibited shear-thinning behavior, enhanced viscosity, and gel-like properties at higher concentrations. Shiitake polysaccharide also demonstrated superior emulsifying capacity for oil-in-water emulsions, suggesting its potential as an effective stabilizer in food formulations. The fruit body of shiitake produced under optimal polysaccharide conditions had the highest diversity in flavonoids and phenolic acids and significant anticancer activity against MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell. More to the point, the nanoparticle induced aggravation of human breast cancer cell death were evident with IC50 levels of 182 μg/mL for fruit moss and 138 μg/mL for biomass cultivated in submerge condition containing MgO2 NPs.