Scientists at TARI have recently developed a technology to extract glucuronoxylomannan from the fruiting bodies of Tremella mushroom with hot water without adding any chemical reagent. The extraction rate is more than 30%. This polysaccharide is colorless, transparent, odorless, tasteless, and viscous, and has a molecular weight of 0.2-1.6 million dalton. And the extraction process leaves no waste products behind, thus is pollution-free.

    When Tremella polysaccharide is applied to the skin, the water content in the stratum corneum can increase by 35-56% for normal skin, and 25-44% for dry skin. Besides a good and stable water retaining ability, this polysaccharide also has excellent moisturizing effect. Long-term application of the Tremella polysaccharide has the efficacy of lightening the spots on the skin. This Tremella polysaccharide for skin care has been patented in Taiwan (No. I 301069) and the USA (No. US20060222608). It has the potential to be used in assorted skin-care cosmetic products.

    Because of its excellent stability, water absorbing and holding ability, and swelling capacity, the edible Tremella polysaccharide can be used to improve intestinal disorder characterized by constipation and symptom caused by constipation. On this efficacy the application for the patent has been filed in Taiwan (application no. 0961349920) and the USA (application no. 11/802,441).