Abstract: In submerged culture of a Basidiomycete belonging to the genus Coriolus, the seed culture to be inoculated into the medium is homogenized to form a homogenous slurry and the slurry-formed seed culture is inoculated into the medium. This improves the cultivation rate of the Basidiomycetes.

Abstract: In cultivation of the Basidiomycetes under aeration and agitation in an aqueous liquid medium containing saccharide as a carbon source and yeast extract, peptone, casamino acid and/or meat extract as nutrient, the initial charge of the medium is adjusted such that it is less than about 70% of the capacity of the fermentor used, and the medium or at least one component thereof is supplied additionally in portions as cultivation advances. Such control of the medium feed suppresses excessive foaming which occurs in the aqueous medium during cultivation, and allows smooth and efficient cultivation of the Basidiomycetes.

Abstract: A fungus belonging to genus Coriolus of the class Basidiomycetes is subjected to submerged culture in a liquid medium and the obtained culture is dried and extracted with an aqueous solvent, and then the substances with molecular weights of less than 5,000 are eliminated from the extract solution, whereby a polysaccharide having anti-cancer and other pharmacodynamic effects is obtained in a high yield.