This research deals with the production of water-soluble polysaccharides from Ganoderma applanatum by comparing the productivity of endo and exopolysaccharides under various cultural conditions. Both maltose and glucose proved to be the effective carbon sources for polysaccharide production. High yield of exopolysaccharide (EPS) required moderate temperature (25 degrees C), high carbon concentrations (60 g/l), and short culture period (8-12 days). In contrast, endopolysaccharide (PPS) production required lower culture temperature (10-15 degrees C), low level of C/N ratio and minimal 10 day culture period. G. applanatum accumulated more PPS in their bodies at lower temperature in death phase. Meanwhile more EPS were produced at moderate temperature and in the stationary growth phase. The molecular weight of EPS from G. applanatum was also influenced by cultivation time. The longer the mycelia were cultivated, the higher the molecular weight of EPS formed. (c) 2006 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.