Abstract: Objective:To investigate the effects of different enzyme extraction methods on the antioxidant and antitumor properties of licorice residue polysaccharide and to provide evidence for the effective reuse of licorice. Methods:The licorice residue polysaccharides were extracted by cellulase and pectinase under optimized conditions respectively. The yield,IR spectra,antioxidant activity and antitumor activity were investigated and compared. Results:The yield of licorice residue polysaccharide extracted by pectinase and cellulase was 8.43% and 10.71%,respectively. The IR spectra confirmed the skeletal modes of the pyranose ring in licorice residue polysaccharide. The IC₅₀ values of DPPH,hydroxyl and ABTS radical scavenging activity of polysaccharide extracted by pectinase and cellulase were 0.00243,0.305,0.0403 mg/mL and 0.226,0.0238,0.0401 mg/mL,respectively. Antitumor results showed that the inhibition rate of cellulase extraction polysaccharide was higher than pectinase extraction polysaccharide in range of 0.00250~0.125 mg/mL. Conclusion:Cellulase extraction polysaccharide had high yield,better hydroxyl radical scavenging activity and antitumor property. Pectinase extraction polysaccharide had better DPPH free radical scavenging activity. The scavenging ability of ABTS free radical of them was same.