[Objective] This study aimed to explore optimum conditions for papain-as- sisted extraction of polysaccharides from Agrocybe aegirit. [Method] Because enzyme is capable of destroying organizational structure of cells, papain was selected to cat- alyze cells to let polysaccharides out. An orthogonal experiment was carried out to investigate the effects of hydrolysis temperature, hydrolysis time, enzyme concentra- tion and solid to liquid ratio on extraction of polysaccharides from A. aegirit. [Result] Through the orthogonal experiment, the optimum papain-assisted extraction conditions were obtained： hydrolysis temperature, 45 ℃; hydrolysis time, 2 h; enzyme concen- tration 2%; solid to liquid ratio, 1：80. [Conclusion] This study will provide a reference for extraction of polysaccharides from A. aegirit.
