Immuno-Activities of Extracts of Tofu Fermented with Pleurotus eryngii Mycelia

Abstract

In order to improve the functional benefits and storage properties of soybean tofu, fermented tofu was developed using Pleurotus eryngii mycelia. The immune activities of water and methanol extracts of the tofu were investigated. The optimal medium for the growth of Pleurotus eryngii mycelia was PD broth medium and the optimal fermentation period for the tofu was 7 days. The water and methanol extracts of the fermented tofu induced the proliferation of spleen cells at above 0.01 μg/mL. The water extract increased IL-2, IFN-γ production, while the methanol extract increased IFN-γ synthesis. The water and methanol extracts of the fermented tofu induced the NO production in RAW264.7 macrophage cells at above 1 μg/mL and above 10 μg/mL concentration, respectively. The extracts also significantly increased the production of IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1β and GM-CSF in the cells. These results suggest that the tofu fermented with Pleurotus eryngii mycelia could be developed as a functional tofu.