Unlike sodium selenite which inhibited mycelial growth, Selol increased in biomass production in a dose-dependent manner. Selol also dramatically enhanced EPS formation to 2.25 g/L which is 2.5–fold higher than in the control. Selenium content in EPS and IPS obtained from Selol-enriched medium reached a maximum of 4.89 and 4.69 mg/g, respectively.
The in vitro antioxidant activities of polysaccharides were evaluated by reducing power, inhibition of lipid peroxidation, and 1,1-diphenyl-dipicrylhydrazyl radicals scavenging assays. The selenium-containing EPS showed an excellent antioxidant activity correlated well with increasing concentrations.
The results suggested that selenium-containing EPS from H. erinaceum submerged culture should be explored as a novel selenium source in dietary supplements, with potent antioxidant properties.