Ultrasonic-microwave assisted extraction of Auricularia cornea var. Li. polysaccharides: Hydrogel formation, interactions, and antioxidant activity.

Auricularia cornea var. Li. polysaccharides (ACP), known for their bioactivity and functional properties, were used as raw materials for hydrogel preparation. This study aimed to develop an ACP-incorporated hydrogel and investigate the enhancement effect of ACP on its structural properties and antioxidant activity. The ACP, extracted using ultrasonic-microwave-assisted extraction, which yielded higher polysaccharide content and antioxidant activity than traditional methods, was incorporated into a hydrogel system at varying concentrations. The hydrogels were characterized by field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), particle size analysis, zeta potential, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The results demonstrated that ACP promoted the formation of a denser, more uniform three-dimensional network. Consequently, the ACP-reinforced hydrogels exhibited significantly enhanced antioxidant activity and improved storage stability. In conclusion, ACP serves as an effective functional modifier, endowing hydrogels with superior microstructure and antioxidant capacity, which highlights its promise for applications in food and biomedical fields.