Putative Regulatory Network of Anthocyanins on Exopolysaccharides of <i>Agaricus bitorquis</i> (Quel.) Sacc. Chaidam with Multi-Omics Technologies

The exopolysaccharides (EPSs) from <i>Agaricus bitorquis</i> (Quél.) Sacc. Chaidam (ABSC) have great application value due to their significant biological activities. In order to promote ABSC growth and increase EPS production, the method of adding antioxidants and its regulatory mechanism were studied. Taking the anthocyanin extract from <i>Lycium ruthenicum</i> Murr (ALR) as the best regulatory factor, the optimal dosage was determined to be 0.06 mg/mL, and the EPS yield was significantly increased by 65.46% (<i>p</i> < 0.05) compared with the control group (at the peak). Through the combined analysis of metabolomics and transcriptomics, the results showed that ALR promoted mycelial growth and enhanced EPS synthesis and release by upregulating the biosynthesis pathway of amino acids and UDP-monosaccharides, the degradation pathway of toxic and harmful substances in cells, and the desaturation metabolic pathway of fatty acids. At the same time, it was found that the various regulatory effects of ALR on EPS synthesis were related to the synergistic effects of its main active ingredients. These results not only provide a new strategy for the efficient production of EPS but also lay a solid scientific foundation for future research applications.