THE BIG HOUSE Volume 8 The Dawn of the Spank-Off R Humphries

Z. ZHANG et al.: Polysaccharide Production by T. aurantialba, Food Technol. Biotechnol. 45 (1) 45–50 (2007)45ISSN 1330-9862(FTB-1619)original scientific paperApplication of Statistical Analysis for theOptimization of Mycelia and Polysaccharide Productionby Tremella aurantialbaZhicai Zhang 1,2 , Yin Li 1,3 and Kechang Zhang 1,2 *1 Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, Southern Yangtze University,Wuxi 214036, PR China2 Lab of Biomass Resources, School of Biotechnology, Southern Yangtze University, Wuxi 214036,PR China3 Department of Plant Science, North Dakota, State University, Fargo ND 58105, USAReceived: January 24, 2006Accepted: March 23, 2006SummaryStatistical analyses were applied to optimize the medium composition for the mycelialgrowth and polysaccharide production by Tremella aurantialba in shake flask cultures. Firstly,four significant factors (xylan, peptone, wheat bran and corn powder) on mycelial growthand polysaccharide yield (p£0.05) were obtained using one-at-a-time design. Subsequently,in order to study the mutual interactions between variables, the effects of these factorswere further investigated using four-factor, three-level orthogonal test design and the optimalcomposition was (in g/L): xylan 40, peptone 10, wheat bran 20, corn powder 20,KH 2 PO 4 1.2 and MgSO 4·7H 2 O 0.6. Finally, the maximum mycelium yield and polysaccharideproduction in 50-litre stirred-tank bioreactor reached 36.8 and 3.01 g/L under the optimizedmedium, respectively.Key words: Tremella aurantialba, optimization, orthogonal test, polysaccharide, statistical analysisIntroductionTremella aurantialba, extensively used in Chinese medicine,is a wood-inhabiting host-specific macrofungus.During the last 15–20 years, scientific studies on T. aurantialbapolysaccharides from fruit body and mycelium,and the crude extraction of the broth have been carriedout in China and Japan. It has been reported that thecomposite of T. aurantialba decoction remarkably relaxesthe tracheal smooth muscle and is anti-asthmatic (1). Thereport also shows that oral administration or subcutaneousinjection of crude extract of T. aurantialba to micecan raise macrophages, enhance phagocytic function, adjustthe effects on specific immunocompetence of mice,and increase mice nonspecific immunocompetence (2). Thefermented products from T. aurantialba can remarkablyprolong the clotting time of the thrombogen and increasethe volume of the blood flow in the meninges (3).The polysaccharides from fruit bodies of T. aurantialbaexhibited remarkable hypoglycemic activity in normalmice, streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice and geneticallydiabetic mice following intraperitoneal administration(4). The mycelium polysaccharides produced by T.aurantialba were reported to prevent and cure diet-inducedhyperlipidemia, relieving cough and reducingphlegm, curing cardiovascular and cerebral diseases, enhancinghaemopoietic function, and increasing body’simmunity (5–7). Zhang et al. (8) reported that the polysaccharidesfrom the mycelia could decrease the bloodsugar content. Therefore, it would be favourable to in-*Corresponding author; Phone/Fax: ++86 510 85 809 237; E-mail: zhangzhicai2001@yahoo.com.cn

1A Pair of Red CardsDeborah Morton groaned audibly. At the farend of the row that she was seated in Sally Cobb waswaving a red card and grinning like a Cheshire Cat.“Morton, Phase 6,” announced the prefect,“step up for goofing.”Deborah felt her face redden as she stumbledpassed her seated chums.Debs had been genuinely surprised to seeSally. Seconds earlier she had checked to see that thecoast was clear before entertaining herself bysurreptitiously sliding the satchel of the inmate seatedin front of her out of reach. She had grinning toherself as the gal had to keep reaching down andattempt to retrieve the bag when she was jolted outof her indulgent self-amusement by the sound ofSally’s voice.Sally Cobb could not have asked for a betterstart to the new term. The Commandant of the SecretSorority of Serial Spankers was confident that shewould receive some serious kudos from her handlers

The Dawn of the Spank-Offfor scoring such a prized pair of bumbags so early inthe piece.Debs looked slightly shame-faced as sheexchanged resigned glances with Lady VictoriaBrompton. Without needing any instruction sheshuffled over and took up a position at the front ofthe hall midway between the doors and the stage.Deborah could not have asked for a worst startto the term. Her historical record for being dismissedfrom the assembly hall had always been bad butduring the course of the previous term it haddeteriorated drastically. Although she did her best tofeign nonchalant indifference Debs heart waspounding and her hands were clammy. Towards theend of the winter term, after she had been chuckedout for the fifth time, the Grand Master had taken theunusual step of taking her up onto the stage, puttingher over his knee and spanking her in front theassembled inmates. It was hardly the way thatDeborah had planned on starting the new year.Deborah did her best to remain calm as sheheard the Brass approaching the doors to the hall. Asthe Dames filed in most of them threw hersympathetic looks before they continued onto thestage. As usual Patty Hodge and her cronies were thelast to saunter into the hall. Deborah watched themapproaching out of the corner of her eye and bracedherself. Doubtless they would take the time to stopand make unpleasant, and in Deborah’s opinionunnecessary, references to the impending future ofher bum. She was not mistaken.

3Patty stopped and towered over Debs. She wasabout to speak when her mouth suddenly stretchedinto a huge grin. She turned around to face theassembled inmates and extracted a red card.“Morton, Phase 6,” the Deputy Grand Dameannounced gleefully. “Book yourself in for anappointment with Miss Beck for a twelve spankslippering. Exposed top button on your blouse, zerotoleranceclobber abuse.”There was a united gasp from the gals on thehall floor. Although Mr Humphries had never officiallyrevised the collar and tie protocols he generallyencouraged a benign policy on the differentiationbetween an exposed top button and a clear zerotolerance act of clobber abuse whereby a gal’s collarwas actually unfastened and her tie loosened.Although Ms Hodge was strictly within her rights toissue the card it was obvious to everybody present itwas an act of pure malice.Deborah’s face turned bright crimson. She hadto bite her tongue to stop herself for cussing Pattyout. Patty Hodge grinned at her.“Welcome back, Morton,” she chuckled.Debs Morton was tempted to risk a publicflogging for hacking Patty in the shins.Debs was still reeling from the shock of Patty’sbeastly behavior when the doors swung open and MrHumphries entered the hall. Deborah was standingseveral feet away, between the door and the foot ofthe steps that led to the stage. She felt a line ofperspiration forming on her brow as the Grand Masterapproached.

The Dawn of the Spank-OffMomentarily Mr Humphries remained silent,just standing in front of Deborah and staring down ather.“You’ve been chucked out again?” he askedrather abruptly.“Yes sir, sorry sir,” muttered Debs.“Gabbing or goofing?” he asked.“Goofing, sir,” muttered Debs.Mr Humphries frowned. He looked at herthoughtfully. Momentarily Debs was certain that shewas about to get another humiliating public spanking.She felt a shiver up her spine and her legs covered ingoose bumps. However, fortunately for the haplessinmate he just shook his head wearily.“Go and get yourself inspected young lady,” hefinally said irritably. With a sigh of relief Deborahhurried towards the door. Just as she reached thedoor the Grand Master called to her.“And by the way Morton if I were you I’dstraighten your tie before you get to Katie’s.”Debs turned red again. “It’s too late sir,” shemuttered, “I’ve already been red carded.” With thatshe hung her head and trudged out of the hall.