Mycology Techno Co., Ltd. (Niigata, Japan) provided Basidiomycetes-X dry powder as starting materials. One gram of Basidiomycetes-X dry powder was suspended in 10 mL of the extraction solvents of water, methanol, chloroform-methanol (1:1, v/v) and 2-propanol, respectively. These suspensions were allowed to stand at room temperature for 4 h and mixed briefly every hour during the extraction. Debris was removed by centrifugation at 890 $\times$ g for 5 min and 10 $\mu$L of the extracts were applied onto a TLC plate with a fluorescent dye (TLC Silica gel 60 F${}_{254}$, Merck, Darmstadt, Germany) and developed using chloroform-methanol-acetic acid (95:5:3, v/v) as a mobile phase. Under UV illumination at 254 nm, compounds that inhibited fluorescence from the dye on the TLC plate were detected. After drying, the TLC plate was immersed in 1.25 mM DPPH solution in methanol for activity staining to detect the components showing DPPH radical scavenging activity. The band intensity was measured using an image analysis software (ImageJ, developed by Rasband W at NIH, Bethesda, MD).

Five-hundred grams of Basidiomycetes-X dry powder were divided into 4 portions, and each 125 g was suspended in 500 mL of 2-propanol and stirred for 20 min using a magnetic stirrer at room temperature. The first extracts were recovered by filtration using filter paper. Each residue on the filter paper was suspended again in 2-propanol (400 mL). The 2-propanol extraction was repeated four times, and in total, 4345 mL of 2-propanol extracts were recovered. The 2-propanol extracts were evaporated using a rotary evaporator, the dry matters were dissolved in 65 mL of chloroform, and chloroform-insoluble solid was removed by filtration using filter paper and condensed to 5 mL with a rotary evaporator. The chloroform-soluble fraction was applied to a silica gel column (Wakogel C-200, 75–150 $\mu$m, 1.8 $\times$ 15 cm) and eluted with chloroform-methanol-acetic acid (95:5:3, v/v) as a developing solvent. The elute was recovered and the solvent was changed to 2 mL of chloroform after evaporation with a rotary evaporator. The chloroform-soluble fraction was applied to an alumina column (Wako active alumina, 200–300 mesh, 1.8 $\times$ 15 cm) and eluted with chloroform as a developing solvent. The chloroform elute was recovered and the solvent was changed to 2 mL of hexane-ethyl acetate (8:2, v/v). The insoluble solid was removed by filtration through a 0.45-$\mu$m PTFE syringe filter (RJF1345NH, Rephile), and the hexane-ethyl acetate soluble fraction was further purified using an HPLC system with a normal phase column (Wakopak Wakosil 10 SIL, 4.0 $\times$ 300 mm). The mobile phase was hexane-ethyl acetate (8:2, v/v) at a flow rate of 0.6 mL min${}^{-1}$. The ergosterol-containing fraction showing a characteristic UV absorption spectrum with four peaks at 263, 272, 282 and 293 nm was recovered. The final product of ergosterol (4.5 mg) was dissolved in chloroform (Supplementary Table 1). The amount of ergosterol was spectrophotometrically determined using an absorption coefficient of 0.97 $\times$ 10${}^4$ L mol${}^{-1}$ cm${}^{-1}$ at 262 nm [20].

One gram of Basidiomycetes-X dry powder was suspended in 4 mL of methanol and stirred for 20 min using a magnetic stirrer at room temperature. The methanol-insoluble solid was removed by filtration through filter paper. The filtrate was collected and the residue on the filter paper was once again resuspended in 3.2 mL of methanol. The methanol extraction was repeated three times. Debris was removed by filtration through a 0.45-$\mu$m PTFE syringe filter and the ergosterol-containing methanol extract (20 $\mu$L) was analyzed using an HPLC system with a pump (PU-2087 Plus Intelligent Prep. Pump, JASCO) equipped with a reversed-phase column (Cosmosil 5C18-MS, 4.6 $\times$ 150 mm, Nacalai). The mobile phase was 100% methanol at a flow rate of 0.6 mL min${}^{-1}$ for isocratic elution. The UV spectrum was recorded with a JASCO photodiode array detector detector (MD-2018 Plus). A${}_{281}$ was traced to draw a chromatogram and ergosterol was identified by its UV absorption spectrum with characteristic four peaks at 263, 272, 282 and 293 nm. The amount of ergosterol was determined from a standard curve constructed with known amounts (20 to 80 ng) of the authentic ergosterol standard (Tokyo Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.).

Basidiomycetes-X powder (500 g) was used as the starting material, and 2-propanol extracts were prepared as described in the purification of ergosterol section above. The 2-propanol extracts were evaporated using a rotary evaporator, and the dry matters (2.4 g) were dissolved in 100 mL of chloroform. Chloroform-insoluble materials were removed by filtration using filter paper, after which the filtrate was evaporated using a rotary evaporator, leading to the recovery of 1.4 g of chloroform-soluble materials. After dissolving in chloroform, the chloroform-soluble sample was applied to a silica gel column (Wakogel C-200, 75–150 $\mu$m, 1.8 $\times$ 15 cm) and eluted with chloroform-methanol-acetic acid (95:5:3, v/v). The unabsorbed fraction was collected, evaporated (977 mg) and dissolved in chloroform (2 mL). The chloroform solution was applied to an alumina column (Wako active alumina, 200–300 mesh, 1.8 $\times$ 15 cm), washed with 100% chloroform and eluted with chloroform-methanol-acetic acid (95:5:3, v/v). The elute was collected, evaporated (225 mg) and dissolved in hexane-ethyl acetate-acetic acid (60:40:1, v/v, 2 mL). The sample (2 mL) was applied to a silica gel column (Wakogel C-200, 75–150 $\mu$m, 1.8 $\times$ 15 cm) and eluted with hexane-ethyl acetate-acetic acid (60:40:1, v/v). The fractions showing the characteristic UV absorption spectrum with an absorption maximum at 233 nm were collected, evaporated (151 mg) and dissolved in chloroform (0.5 mL). After adjusting the solvent to methanol-chloroform-water (90:5:5, v/v), the sample was filtered through a 0.45-$\mu$m PTFE syringe filter (RJF1345NH, Rephile) and then purified using an HPLC system with a reversed-phase column (CAPCELL PAK C18 AQ S5, 10 $\times$ 250 mm, Shiseido). The mobile phase was 90% (v/v) methanol with 0.1% (v/v) acetic acid at a flow rate of 3.0 mL min${}^{-1}$. A${}_{233}$ was monitored to detect the target compound. The peak fraction at 25 min was collected, evaporated (29 mg) and dissolved in chloroform-methanol (3:40, v/v). After filtration through a 0.45-$\mu$m PTFE syringe filter (RJF1345NH, Rephile), the filtrate was further purified using the same HPLC system with a reversed-phase column (CAPCELL PAK C18 AQ S5, 10 $\times$ 250 mm, Shiseido). In the second chromatography, the mobile phase was 85% (v/v) methanol with 0.1% (v/v) acetic acid at a flow rate of 3.0 mL min${}^{-1}$. A${}_{233}$ was monitored to detect compound II. The peak fraction at 61 min was collected, evaporated and dissolved in chloroform as the final product (11.4 mg) (Supplementary Table 2). Purified compound II was used for HPLC analysis and MS analysis.

Because the purified CLA was degraded during storage at 4 ${}^{\circ }$C for 2–3 months, CLA was purified again from Basidiomycetes-X dry powder (100 g) to obtain enough quantity and quality sample for the NMR analysis. Basidiomycetes-X dry powder was suspended in a mixed solvent containing chloroform (250 mL), methanol (500 mL), and acetic acid (0.1 N, 200 mL) and stirred for 2 h at room temperature. The insoluble solid was filtered off, and chloroform (250 mL) and acetic acid (0.1 N, 250 mL) was added to the filtrate. This solution was shaken in a separatory funnel and separated into two phases. The lower layer was collected, and the organic solvents were removed by evaporation under vacuum. The dissolved part in ethyl acetate-hexane (2:8, v/v) was passed through a SNAP ultra 10 g HP-Sphere column (Biotage Isolea one, gradient elution by hexane and ethyl acetate). The fractions eluting before ergosterol were collected and dried in vacuo. The crude CLA (approximately 170 mg) was dissolved in 10 mL of methanol-chloroform-water (90:5:5, v/v) and further purified by reversed-phase HPLC. Debris was removed by filtration through a 0.45-$\mu$m PTFE syringe filter (RJF1345NH, Rephile) and the filtrate was purified using an HPLC system with a reversed-phase column (Inertsustain, 5 $\mu$m, 14 $\times$ 150 mm, GL Sciences). The mobile phase was 87.5% (v/v) methanol with 0.1% (v/v) acetic acid at a flow rate of 5.5 mL min${}^{-1}$. A${}_{233}$ was monitored to detect CLA. The peak fraction at 20 min was collected, evaporated (39 mg) and dissolved in 4.3 mL of methanol-chloroform (3:40, v/v). Debris was removed by filtration through a 0.45-$\mu$m PTFE syringe filter (RJF1345NH, Rephile), the filtrate was purified using an HPLC system with a reversed-phase column (CAPCELL PAK C18 AQ S5, 10 $\times$ 250 mm, Shiseido) again. In the second chromatography, the mobile phase was 85% (v/v) methanol with 0.1% (v/v) acetic acid at a flow rate of 3.0 mL min${}^{-1}$. A${}_{205}$ was monitored to detect CLA. The peak fraction at 43 min was collected, evaporated and dissolved in chloroform as the final product (11 mg). The purified CLA was used for the NMR analysis.

One gram of Basidiomycetes-X dry powder was suspended in 10 mL of methanol, and stirred for 24 h using a magnetic stirrer at room temperature. Debris was removed by filtration through filter paper and a 0.45-$\mu$m PTFE syringe filter (RJF1345NH, Rephile). The CLA-containing methanol extract (20 $\mu$L) was analyzed using an HPLC system with a pump (PU-2087 Plus Intelligent Prep. Pump, JASCO) equipped with a reversed-phase column (Cosmosil 5C18-MS, 4.6 $\times$ 150 mm, Nacalai). The mobile phase was 90% (v/v) methanol with 0.1% (v/v) acetic acid at a flow rate of 0.6 mL min${}^{-1}$ for isocratic elution. The UV spectrum was recorded with a JASCO photodiode array detector (MD-2018 Plus). A${}_{232}$ was traced to draw a chromatogram. CLA was identified by its characteristic UV absorption spectrum with an absorption maximum at 232 nm.

The authentic standards trans-10,cis-12-octadecadienoic acid (10(E),12(Z)-CLA) and cis-9,trans-11-octadecadienoic acid (9(Z),11(E)-CLA) were purchased from Cayman Chemical Company (Ann Arbor, MI 48108, USA). The concentration of 10(E),12(Z)-CLA in ethanol was spectrophotometrically determined using an absorption coefficient of 28,700 L mol${}^{-1}$ cm${}^{-1}$ at 232 nm [21], and 140.8 ng of 10(E),12(Z)-CLA was injected into the HPLC system as an external standand.

Basidiomycetes-X dry powder (50 g) was suspended in water (500 mL) and stirred for 24 h using a magnetic stirrer at room temperature. After filtration through filter paper under reduced pressure, debris was additionally removed by filtration through a 0.45-$\mu$m PTFE syringe filter (RJF1345NH, Rephile). The water extract was analyzed using an HPLC system equipped with a reversed-phase column (Cosmosil 5C18-MS, 4.6 $\times$ 150 mm, 5 $\mu$m, Nacalai). The mobile phase was changed for linear gradient elution using a pump (PU-2087 Plus Intelligent Prep. Pump, JASCO). During the initial 5 min, 0.1% (v/v) acetic acid was eluted, and the methanol concentration in the eluent increased linearly up to 99.9% (v/v) methanol with 0.1% (v/v) acetic acid over 95 min. After a 10-min elution of 99.9% (v/v) methanol with 0.1% (v/v) acetic acid, the methanol concentration in the eluent decreased linearly to 0% (v/v) methanol with 0.1% (v/v) acetic acid over 5 min and stabilized at 0.1% (v/v) acetic acid for 10 min. The flow rate was maintained at 0.6 mL min${}^{-1}$ during the elution. The UV spectrum was recorded with a JASCO photodiode array detector (MD-2018 Plus).

One gram of Basidiomycetes-X dry powder was suspended in 10 mL of water and stirred for 2 h using a magnetic stirrer at room temperature. Debris was removed by centrifugation at 22,200 $\times$ g for 5 min, filtration through filter paper and subsequent filtration through a 0.45-$\mu$m PTFE syringe filter (RJF3245NH, Rephile). The water extact was frationated using a preparative HPLC system equipped with a reversed-phase column (CAPCELL PAK C18 AQ S5, 10 $\times$ 250 mm, Shiseido). The mobile phase changed stepwise from 7.5% (v/v) methanol with 0.1% (v/v) acetic acid during the first 30 min, to 20% (v/v) methanol with 0.1% (v/v) acetic acid during the next 40 min, to 40% (v/v) methanol with 0.1% (v/v) acetic acid during the next 20 min, and to 99.9% (v/v) methanol with 0.1% (v/v) acetic acid during the final 15 min. The flow rate was kept at 3.0 mL min${}^{-1}$ during elution with a pump (PU-2087 Plus, JASCO). A${}_{260}$ was recorded with a JASCO UV/VIS detector (UV-2075 Plus). Twelve peak fractions detected with absorption at 260 nm and 7 interval fractions without absorption at 260 nm were collected, and condensed using a rotary evaporator or a lyophilizer. Each condensed fraction was dissolved in 10 $\mu$L of methanol and spotted onto a TLC plate (TLC Silica gel 60 F${}_{254}$, Merck). After separation using hexane-ethyl acetate (4:1, v/v) as a developing solvent, the plate was dried at room temperature for 20 min. A 375 $\mu$M DPPH solution in methanol was sprayed evenly on the plate and DPPH radical scavengers were detected. The spot intensity detected by activity staining was measured using an image analysis software (ImageJ, developed by Rasband W at NIH, Bethesda, MD).

Seventy grams of Basidiomycetes-X dry powder were divided into 7 portions, and each 10 g was suspended in 100 mL of methanol and stirred for 24 h using a magnetic stirrer at room temperature. Debris was removed by filtration through filter paper, the methanol extract was evaporated with a rotary evaporator, after which the dry materials (12.8 g) were dissolved in 140 mL of water. The water-insoluble solid was removed by filtration through filter paper. The filtrate was divided into 7 portions, and methanol (20 mL) and chloroform (20 mL) were added to the filtrate (20 mL). After mixing vigorously using a 100-mL separatory funnel and separated into two phases, the upper aqueous phase was collected. After evaporation with a rotary evaporator, the dry materials were dissolved in 93 mL of water. Debris was removed by filtration through a 0.45-$\mu$m PTFE syringe filter (RJF1345NH, Rephile). The DDMP-containing aqueous fraction was purified using an HPLC system equipped with a reversed-phase column (CAPCELL PAK C18 AQ S5, 10 $\times$ 250 mm, Shiseido). The mobile phase was 0.1% (v/v) acetic acid at a flow rate of 3.0 mL min${}^{-1}$ for isocratic elution. A${}_{290}$ was monitored to detect the target compound and the peak fraction at 30 min was recovered. After removal of the solvent, 178 mg of dry material was dissolved in 2 mL of water and filtered through a 0.45-$\mu$m PTFE syringe filter (RJF1345NH, Rephile). The filtate was additionally purified by the second chromatographic preparation using a reversed-phase column (CAPCELL PAK C18 AQ S5, 10 $\times$ 250 mm, Shiseido). The mobile phase was 0.1% (v/v) acetic acid at a flow rate of 3.0 mL min${}^{-1}$ for isocratic elution. A${}_{260}$ was monitored to detect compound III and the peak fraction at 30 min was recovered. After removal of the solvent, 13.4 mg of dry material was obtained as the final product.

One gram of Basidiomycetes-X dry powder was suspended in 10 mL of methanol and stirred for 24 h using a magnetic stirrer at room temperature. The methanol-insoluble solid was removed by filtration through filter paper. Debris was additionally removed by centrifugation at 21,000 $\times$ g for 2 min and subsequent filtration through a 0.45-$\mu$m PTFE syringe filter (RJF1345NH, Rephile). The methanol extract (20 $\mu$L) was analyzed using an HPLC system with a pump (PU-2087 Plus Intelligent Prep. Pump, JASCO) equipped with a reversed-phase column (Cosmosil 5C18-MS, 4.6 $\times$ 150 mm, Nacalai). The mobile phase was 0.1% (v/v) acetic acid for the initial 5 min and changed linearly up to 99.9% (v/v) methanol with 0.1% (v/v) acetic acid over 95 min for gradient elution. The flow rate was constant at 0.6 mL min${}^{-1}$. The UV absorption spectrum was recorded with a JASCO photodiode array detector (MD-2018 Plus) and A${}_{296}$ was traced to draw a chromatogram. A known amount of purified DDMP (400 ng) was used as the external standard.

Basidiomycetes-X dry powder (100 g) was added to 800 mL of water and stirred for 12 h using a magnetic stirrer at room temperature. The water-insoluble solid was removed by centrifugation at 2000 $\times$ g for 3 min and subsequent filtration through filter paper to obtain clear aqueous extract. The extraction using distilled water was repeated 4 times, and 2010 mL of the water extract was collected in total. The water extract was condensed using a rotary evaporator, and the resulting dry materials (64.85 g) were dissolved in 450 mL of methanol. The methanol-insoluble solid was removed by filtration through filter paper and the filtrate was condensed to 100 mL using a rotary evaporator. Equal volumes of water and chloroform were added to the 100-mL condensed methanol soluble fraction, mixed vigorously using a 500-mL separatory funnel, and waited to separate into two phases. The lower organic phase was removed. The chloroform extraction was repeated 3 times and the clear aqueous phase (125 mL) was collected. The aqueous phase was recovered and condensed using a rotary evaporator, and the resulting dry materials were dissolved in 50 mL of methanol. The methanol-soluble fraction was maintained at –30 ${}^{\circ }$C for 12 h and the precipitate was removed by filtration through filter paper. After evaporation by a rotary evaporator, the dry materials (10.85 g) were dissolved in 25 mL of water and debris was removed by filtration through a syringe filter (0.45 $\mu$m, RJF1345NH, Rephile). The filtrate was passed through a reversed-phase column (Cosmosil 5C18-MS-II, 4.6 $\times$ 150 mm, Nacalai) to remove the substances adsorbed to the column. The mobile phase was 15% (v/v) methanol with 0.1% (v/v) acetic acid at a flow rate of 1.0 mL min${}^{-1}$. The elution of the target compound was monitored by A${}_{260}$, and the fraction at retention times of 0–30 min was collected as fraction 1. The solvent of fraction 1 was removed using a rotary evaporator and the resulting materials were dissolved in 20 mL of water. After filtration through a syringe filter (0.45 $\mu$m, RJF1345NH, Rephile), the sample was purified using a preparative HPLC system equipped with a reversed-phase column (CAPCELL PAK C18 AQ S5, 10 $\times$ 250 mm, Shiseido). The mobile phase was 7.5% (v/v) methanol with 0.1% (v/v) acetic acid at a flow rate of 3.0 mL min${}^{-1}$. The elution of the target compound was monitored by A${}_{260}$. The fraction at retention times of 8.87–10.99 min was collected as fraction 2, and the fraction at retention times of 22.6–25.9 min was collected as compound V.

Fraction 2 was condensed using a rotary evaporator and the resulting materials were dissolved in 10 mL of water. After filtration through a syringe filter (0.45 $\mu$m, RJF1345NH, Rephile), the water-soluble fraction was further purified using another HPLC system equipped with a reversed-phase column (Inertsil ODS-3, 4.6 $\times$ 150 nm, 5 $\mu$m, GL Sciences). The mobile phase was 0.1% (v/v) acetic acid at a flow rate of 1.0 mL min${}^{-1}$. The elution of the target compound was monitored by A${}_{260}$, and the fraction at retention times of 16.5–19.5 min was collected as compound IV. Compound IV (10.6 mg, Supplementary Table 3) and compound V (14.0 mg, Supplementary Table 4) were obtained after the removal of the solvent with a lyophilizer.

One gram of Basidiomycetes-X dry powder was suspended in 20 mL of water and stirred for 2 h using a magnetic stirrer at room temperature. Debris was removed by centrigugation at 22,200 $\times$ g for 2 min and the supernatant was diluted by the addition of a 3-fold volume of water to obtain a 12.5 mg mL${}^{-1}$ Basidiomycetes-X water extract. After filtration through a syringe filter (0.45 $\mu$m, RJF1345NH, Rephile), the water extract (20 $\mu$L) was analyzed using an HPLC system with a pump (PU-2087 Plus Intelligent Prep. Pump, JASCO) equipped with a reversed-phase column (Inertsil ODS-3, 4.6 $\times$ 150 nm, 5 $\mu$m, GL Sciences). The mobile phase was 7.5% (v/v) methanol with 0.1% acetic acid at a flow rate of 0.6 mL min${}^{-1}$ for isocratic elution. The UV absorption spectrum was recorded with a JASCO photodiode array detector (MD-2018 Plus), and A${}_{262}$ was traced to draw a chromatogram. The amount of uridine was determined from a standard curve constructed with known amounts (60 to 400 ng) of the authentic standard uridine, which was purchased from Sigma–Aldrich. The concentration of the uridine standard solution was determined using the absorption coefficient of uridine (10,100 L mol${}^{-1}$ cm${}^{-1}$ at 262 nm).

One gram of Basidiomycetes-X dry powde was suspended in 20 mL of water and stirred for 2 h using a magnetic stirrer at room temperature. Debris was removed by centrigugation at 22,200 $\times$ g for 2 min and the supernatant was diluted by the addition of an equal volume of water to obtain 25 mg mL${}^{-1}$ Basidiomycetes-X water extract. After filtration through a syringe filter (0.45 $\mu$m, RJF1345NH, Rephile), the water extact (20 $\mu$L) was analyzed using an HPLC system with a pump (PU-2087 Plus Intelligent Prep. Pump, JASCO) equipped with a reversed-phase column (Inertsil ODS-3, 4.6 $\times$ 150 nm, 5 $\mu$m, GL Sciences). The mobile phase was 15% (v/v) methanol with 0.1% (v/v) acetic acid at a flow rate of 0.6 mL min${}^{-1}$ for isocratic elution. The UV absorption spectrum was recorded with a JASCO photodiode array detector (MD-2018 Plus), and A${}_{260}$ was traced to draw a chromatogram. The amount of adenosine was determined from a standard curve constructed with known amounts (66 to 435 ng) of the authentic standard adenosine, which was purchased from Sigma–Aldrich. The concentration of the adenosine standard solution was determined using the absorption coefficient of adenosine (14,900 L mol${}^{-1}$ cm${}^{-1}$ at 260 nm).

EI-MS and EI HR-MS analyses were performed at the Research Institute for Instrumental Analysis at Kanazawa University using a mass spectrometer (JMS-700; JEOL Ltd., Tokyo). FAB-MS and FAB HR-MS analyses were performed using the JEOL JMS-700 mass spectrometer with glycerol or YOKUDEL-FAB-Matrix (JEOL) as a matrix.

The UV absorption spectra were recorded with a Hitach spectrophotometer (U-3900). During HPLC analyses, the UV/VIS spectra were recorded with a JASCO photodiode array detector (MD-2018 Plus). NMR analyses were performed using JEOL NMR spectrometers (ECA600 or ECS400) with 3-(trimethylsilyl)-1-propanesulfonic acid-d6 sodium salt (TMP) as an internal standard to determine 0 ppm.

Fig. 1. shows the TLC separation of DPPH radical scavengers in the Basidiomycetes-X extracts using different extraction solvents. Almost all of the water-soluble DPPH radical scavengers were retained at the origin under the conditions that we used for TLC separation (Fig. 1B, Lane 1). Compounds with DPPH radical scavenging activities at Rf 0.89 and Rf 0.86 were detected in the methanolic extract (Fig. 1B, Lane 2), and their relative intensities were 6.2% (Rf 0.89) and 21% (Rf 0.86), respectively, although approximately 55% of the DPPH radical scavengers were retained at the origin (Fig. 1B, Lane 2). The bands at Rf 0.89 and Rf 0.86 were specifically detected in the 2-propanol extract (Fig. 1B, Lane 4). The lipophilic DPPH radical scavengers in Basidiomycetes-X can be extracted using 2-propanol and separated by column chromatography. Thus, we focused on compound I at Rf 0.89 and compound II at Rf 0.86 and characterized them further.

Fig. 1.

Detection of DPPH radical scavengers in Basidiomycetes-X extracts after separation by TLC. Basidiomycetes-X extracts were prepared using water (Lane 1), methanol (Lane 2), chloroform-methanol (1:1, v/v) (Lane 3) and 2-propanol (Lane 4). After centrifugation, 10 $\mu$L of the extracts were applied to TLC plates (Silica gel 60 F${}_{254}$, Merck) and separated using chloroform-methanol-acetic acid (95:5:3, v/v) as a mobile phase. UV-absorbing compounds that inhibited fluorescence from a dye on the TLC plate were detected under UV illumination at 254 nm (Panel A). DPPH radical scavengers on the plate were detected by staining with 1.25 mM DPPH solution in methanol (Panel B). The positions of ergosterol (I), CLA (II) and DDMP (III) are indicated.

As described above (section 2.2), 4.5 mg of compound I at Rf 0.89 was obtained from 500 g of Basidiomycetes-X dry powder (Supplementary Table 1). Purified compound I showed a characteristic UV absorption spectrum with four absorption peaks at 263, 272, 282 and 293 nm (Fig. 2D), and a molecular ion with a m/z of 397 was detected by EI-MS analysis. These features were identical to those of ergosterol. Compound I eluted identically to the commercially available ergosterol standard when analyzed using our HPLC system (data not shown). Supplementary Table 5 displays the NMR spectroscopic data of compound I to compare with the ergosterol standard. The ${}^{13}$C and ${}^1$H NMR signals were essentially identical to each other (Supplementary Table 5, Ref. [22]). Taken together, these results identified compound I at Rf 0.89 with DPPH radical scavenging activity as ergosterol. The ergosterol content in the Basidiomycetes-X powder was measured by methanol extraction and the following HPLC analysis. Its content (167 $\mu$g g${}^{-1}$) was similar to a previous report of ergosterol contents in edible mushrooms [23]. The calculated recovery was 5.4% of compound I during our preparation starting from 500 g of the dry powder.

Fig. 2.

HPLC analysis of compound I (ergosterol) from Basidiomycetes-X. The methanol extract (A, C) and the purified ergosterol (B, D) were analyzed by an HPLC system equipped with a reversed-phase column (Cosmosil 5C-18-MS, 4.6 $\times$ 150 mm, Nacalai) using 100% methanol as the mobile phase at a flow rate of 0.6 mL min${}^{-1}$ for isocratic elution using a pump (PU-2087 Plus Intelligent Prep. Pump, JASCO). Chromatograms detected by A${}_{281}$ of the methanol extract (A) and purified ergosterol (B). The UV absorption spectrum was recorded with a JASCO photodiode array etector (MD-2018 Plus). Absorption spectra at 14.2 min of the methanol extract (C) and at 16.2 min of purified ergosterol (D).

As described above (section 2.4), 11.4 mg of compound II at Rf 0.86 was obtained from 500 g of Basidiomycetes-X powder (Supplementary Table 2). Purified compound II displayed a characteristic UV absorption spectrum with a single absorption maximum at 233 nm (Fig. 3D), and the strong UV absorption at 233 nm suggests a conjugated double bond in the acyl group, which is a characteristic feature of a conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) [21]. The molecular ion with a m/z 280 was detected by both FAB-MS and EI-MS analyses. A m/z 280.2401 detected by FAB HR-MS analysis of compond II indicates the molecular formula of C${}_{18}$H${}_{32}$O${}_2$ with errors of +0.8 ppm and –0.1 mmu. Purified compound II eluted at identical retention times to the CLA standards trans-10,cis-12-octadecadienoic acid and cis-9,trans-11-octadecadienoic acid when analyzed using our HPLC system (data not shown). To identify the isomer of CLA, NMR analysis was performed. Supplementary Table 6 displays the NMR spectroscopic data of compound II, and these signals were identical or highly similar to those of trans-10,cis-12-octadecadienoic acid. These results identified compound II at Rf 0.86 with high DPPH radical scavenging activity as trans-10,cis-12-octadecadienoic acid (10(E),12(Z)-CLA). The CLA content in the Basidiomycetes-X powder was measured by methanol extraction and the following HPLC analysis. Its content (198 $\mu$g g${}^{-1}$) was similar to that of ergosterol (167 $\mu$g g${}^{-1}$), consistent with the HPLC analysis result of the 2-propanol extract in which ergosterol and CLA were detected as the main components (data not shown). The calculated recovery was 11.5% of compound II during our preparation starting from 500 g of the dry powder.

Fig. 3.

HPLC analysis of purified compound II (CLA) from Basidiomycetes-X. The 2-propanol extract (A,C) and purified compound II (B,D) were analyzed by an HPLC system equipped with a reversed-phase column (Cosmosil 5C-18-MS, 4.6 $\times$ 150 mm, Nacalai) using 90% methanol with 0.1% acetic acid as the mobile phase at a flow rate of 0.6 mL min${}^{-1}$ for isocratic elution using a pump (PU-2087 Plus Intelligent Prep. Pump, JASCO). Chromatograms detected by A${}_{233}$ of the 2-propanol extract (A) and purified compound II (B). The UV absorption spectrum was recorded with a JASCO photodiode array detector (MD-2018 Plus). Absorption spectra at 15.7 min of the 2-propanol extract (C) and at 17.7 min of the purified CLA (D). Ergosterol eluted at 9.5 min after changing the developing solvent to 100% methanol. Thus, it is not included in the chromatogram of panel A.

In the Basidiomycetes-X water extract, DPPH radical scavengers that stayed at the origin were detected (Fig. 1, Lane 1), which suggests the presence of hydrophilic components of antioxidants in Basidiomycetes-X. Thus, the water extract was characterized to seek water-soluble antioxidants as described above (section 2.6). Fig. 4 shows a chromatogram of the Basidiomycetes-X water extract analyzed using an analytical HPLC system. Six prominent peaks were detected by monitoring the UV absorbance at 260 nm, two of which were expected to be pyrrole alkaloid derivatives according to their UV absorption spectra and retention times (Fig. 4, Table 1, Ref. [19]).

Fig. 4.

HPLC analysis of a water-soluble extract from Basidiomycetes-X. A chromatogram detected by A${}_{260}$ (A) and UV-VIS spectra of peak 1 (B), peak 2 (C), peak 3 (D), peak 4 (E) and peak 5 (F) are shown. The extract from Basidiomycetes-X was separated by an HPLC system with a reversed-phase column (Cosmosil 5C18-MS, 4.6 $\times$ 150 mm, Nacalai) and eluted by gradient elution as described (section 2.6).

The separation of DPPH radical scavenging activities in Basidiomycetes-X water extract using preparative HPLC was performed as described above (section 2.7), and the fraction containing a compound with a UV absorption maximum at 297 nm showed approximately 17% of the total DPPH radical scavenging activity separated by the HPLC system. When analyzed using an analytical HPLC system, the compound with an absorbance maximum at 297 nm with DPPH radical scavenging activity was identical to peak 2, which is shown in Fig. 4. Thus, the compound, named compound III, was purified and identified as a water-soluble antioxidant in Basidiomycetes-X. Moreover, peaks 1 and 3, which are shown in Fig. 4, were further characterized as the main components, compound IV and compound V, respectively, in the water extract of Basidiomycetes-X.

As described above (section 2.8), compound III (13.4 mg) was obtained from Basidiomycetes-X dry powder (70 g). Purified compound III displayed a characteristic UV absorption spectrum with a single absorption maximum at 296 nm (data not shown). A m/z of 144.0433 detected by EI HR-MS analysis of compound III indicates the molecular formula of C${}_6$H${}_8$O${}_4$ with errors of +7.2 ppm and +1.0 mmu. Supplementary Table 7 displays the NMR spectroscopic data of compound III, and these signals were identical or highly similar to those of 2,3-dihydro-3,5-dihydroxy-6-methyl‑4H‑pyran-4-one (DDMP) [24]. Taken together, these results identified compound III with DPPH radical scavenging activity as DDMP (Fig. 5). The DDMP content in the Basidiomycetes-X powder was measured by methanol extraction and the following HPLC analysis. Its content of approximately 3500 $\mu$g g${}^{-1}$ suggests a calculated recovery of 5.5% of compound III during our preparation starting from 70 g of the dry powder.

Fig. 5.

Structure of compound III (DDMP) purified from Basidiomycetes-X.

Compound IV was purified from 100 g of Basidiomycetes-X powder as described above (section 2.10), and 10.6 mg of the final product was obtained (Supplementary Table 3). The HPLC chromatogram of purified compound IV and its UV absorption spectrum with a characteristic absorption maximum at 262 nm were identical to those of the uridine standard (data not shown). FAB-MS analysis of purified compound IV showed molecular ion fragments with m/z 245 and m/z 113, which were thought to be uridine and uracil, respectively. A m/z of 245.0783 detected by FAB HR-MS analysis of compound IV indicates the molecular formula of C${}_9$H${}_{13}$N${}_2$O${}_6$ with errors of +3.8 ppm and +0.9 mmu. Supplementary Table 8 displays the NMR spectroscopic data of compound IV to compare with the uridine data. The ${}^{13}$C and ${}^1$H NMR signals were essentially identical to one another. Taken together, these results identified compound IV as uridine. The uridine content in the Basidiomycetes-X powder was measured by water extraction and the following HPLC analysis. Its content of approximately 769 $\mu$g g${}^{-1}$ suggests a calculated recovery of 14% of compound IV during our preparation starting from 100 g of the dry powder. The level of uridine in the Basidiomycetes-X powder was similar to the content in the enzymatically hydrolyzed extracts of the edible Korean mushrooms Pleurotus ostreatus, Agaricus bisporus and Flammulina velutipes [25].

Compound V was purified from 100 g of Basidiomycetes-X powder as described above (section 2.10), and 14.0 mg of the final product was obtained (Supplementary Table 4). The HPLC chromatogram of purified compound V and its UV absorption spectrum with a characteristic absorption maximum at 260 nm were identical to those of the adenosine standard (data not shown). FAB-MS analysis of purified compound V showed molecular ion fragments with m/z 268 and m/z 136, which were thought to be adenosine and adenine, respectively. A m/z of 268.1037 detected by FAB HR-MS analysis of compound V indicates the molecular formula of C${}_{10}$H${}_{14}$N${}_5$O${}_4$ with errors of –3.3 ppm and –0.9 mmu. Supplementary Table 9 displays the NMR spectroscopic data of compound V to compare with the adenosine data. The ${}^{13}$C and ${}^1$H NMR signals were essentially identical to each other. Taken together, these results identified compound V as adenosine. The adenosine content in the Basidiomycetes-X powder was measured by water extraction and the following HPLC analysis. Its content of approximately 424 $\mu$g g${}^{-1}$ suggests a calculated recovery of 33% of compound V during our preparation starting from 100 g of the dry powder. The level of adenosine in the Basidiomycetes-X powder was similar to the content in the Chinese medicinal mushroom DongChongXiaCao, Cordyceps sp. [26].