Non-Animal Hyaluronic Acid from Tremella fuciformis: A New Source with a Structure and Chemical Profile Comparable to Hyaluronic Acid

<i>Tremella fuciformis</i> is high in polysaccharides, which have a structure made up of a straight chain of (1→3) α-D-mannan and side chains of glucuronic acid, xylose, and fucose. This study aimed to evaluate whether the non-animal hyaluronic acid extracted from <i>Tremella fuciformis</i> can maintain the chemical and physical characteristics of hyaluronic acid that ensure its biological functionality. Chemical and physical analyses such as hyaluronic content, screening of metals, purity, pH, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR/FTIR), and MALDI-TOF were performed. Chemical characterisation revealed that the most abundant polysaccharide in the extract was hyaluronic acid, accounting for ca. 87.76%, with a molecular weight above 2000 kDa. In addition, ATR/FTIR and NMR spectroscopy and MALDI-TOF analysis confirmed that <i>Tremella fuciformis</i> extract is a source of non-animal hyaluronic acid. In summary, every molecular attribute examined played a significant role in determining the functional qualities of the extract, indicating that a thoughtful choice of extraction technique can enhance its advantages.