Abstract: To improve the yield and antioxidant activity of polysaccharides from the spores of Dictyophora echinovolvata,extraction conditions of polysaccharides were optimized by response surface analysis(Box-Benhnken design)based on single factor experiments including extraction time,extraction temperature,the ratio of water volume to raw material weight and pH value. The results showed that based on the extraction efficiency and activity of polysaccharides,the optimum extraction conditions were determined as follows:Extraction temperature 70 ℃,extraction time 120 min,solid-to-water ratio 1∶20,and pH9.Under these conditions,the maximum polysaccharides yield of 9.87% was obtained. The results from the antioxidant tests in vitro with polysaccharides showed that the IC₅₀ values of scavenging against hydroxyl free radical was 4.67 mg/mL in the concentration of 2~10 mg/mL. The results provided a basis for further separation,purification and identification of polysaccharides from the spores of Dictyophora echinovolvata.