Lucidum Strains Research Articles

Enhanced Production of Ganoderic Acids and Cytotoxicity ofGanoderma lucidumUsing Solid-Medium Culture

Submerged cultures of Ganoderma lucidum are used to produce fungal mycelium, which is used as a functional food and in the production of various triterpenoids, including ganoderic acids (GAs). Specific culture approaches that produce fungal mycelium with high levels of GAs and good biological activity are critical in the functional food industry. In this study, a solid-medium culture approach to producing mycelium was compared to the submerged culture system. Production of GAs, biomass, intracellular polysaccharides, and cytotoxicity of the cultured mycelium were compared as between solid and submerged culture. Growing G. lucidum strains on solid potato dextrose agar medium increased biomass, the production of ganoderic acid 24 (lanosta-7,9(11), 24-trien-3α-o1-26-oic acid), GAs, and total intracellular polysaccharides as compared to fungi grown in submerged culture. Triterpenoid-enriched methanol extracts of mycelium from solid-medium culture showed higher cytotoxicity than those from submerged culture. The IC(50) values of methanol extracts from solid-medium culture were 11.5, 8.6, and 9.9 times less than submerged culture on human lung cancer cells CH27, melanoma cells M21, and oral cancer cells HSC-3 respectively. The squalene synthase and lanosterol synthase coding genes had higher expression on the culture of solid potato dextrose medium. This is the first report that solid-medium culture is able to increase GA production significantly as compared to submerged culture and, in the process, produces much higher biological activity. This indicates that it may be possible to enhance the production of GAs by implementing mycelium culture on solid medium.

Genetic diversity analysis of Ganoderma species and development of a specific marker for identification of medicinal mushroom Ganoderma lucidum

The genetic diversity of 59 Ganoderma species from various regions was determined by different molecular markers, including the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) rRNA and a partial β-tubulin gene, as well as randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis.The size of the ITS rRNA gene regions from different Ganoderma species varied from 625 to 673 bp, and that of the partial β-tubulin gene sequence was 419 bp. A phylogenetic tree based on the ITS region, the partial β-tubulin gene, and the RAPD profiles revealed thatGanoderma lucidum strains could be classified into 1 group together with G. lucidum from Bangladesh. One fragment unique to G. lucidum was selected from the RAPD profile and then sequenced. One primer pair (designated as GSF and GSR) based on this specific fragment was designed to amplify a 559 bp DNA fragment within the sequenced region. A single band with the expected size of 559 bp was observed from G. lucidum, except for G.lucidum strains from China, Canada, and Taiwan. This specific marker for G. lucidumfrom RAPD analysis, also supported by the phylogenetic analysis of the ITS and partial β-tubulin gene sequences, will be useful for the PCR-based identification of G. lucidum in research applications as well as in the market. Key words: Internal transcribed spacer, β-tubulin, medicinal mushroom, Ganoderma lucidum, randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD).

Taxonomy of Ganoderma lucidum from Korea Based on rDNA and Partial β-Tubulin Gene Sequence Analysis

In the present study, a phylogenetic analysis was undertaken based on the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) rDNA and partial β -tubulin gene sequence of the Ganoderma species. The size of the ITS rDNA regions from different Ganoderma species varied from 625 to 673 bp, and those of the partial β-tubulin gene sequence were 419 bp. Based on the results, a phylogenetic tree was prepared which revealed that Korean Ganoderma lucidum strains belong in a single group along with a G. lucidum strain from Bangladesh.

Use of RAPD molecular markers on differentiation of brazilian and chinese Ganoderma lucidum strains

The aim of this work was to analyze the Brazilian and Chinese strains of Ganoderma lucidum with molecular RAPD markers. A similarity matrix was elaborated and the RAPD profiles of G. lucidum strains were also compared to two other Ganoderma spp: G. applanatum and G. lipsiense in order to produce genetic similarity among the species. Based on the primers used, it was possible to determine that the Brazilian strains and Chinese strain CC-22 are alike. The method and the primers selection showed to be appropriate for the genetic identification of G. lucidum strains, enabling them to be improved and used in research, as well as in the world market.

A Comparative Assessment of the Potential of Polysaccharide Production and Intracellular Sugar Composition within Lingzhi or Reishi Medicinal Mushroom, Ganoderma lucidum (W.Curt.:Fr.)P. Karst. (Aphyllophoromycetideae)

Ganoderma lucidum is a well-known medicinal mushroom species in which polysaccharides are one of the major sources of biological activity. The species was considered as a species-complex due to significant variations in morphological, biochemical, and genetic features among populations with a worldwide distribution. This fact was the basis for setting the aim of this research: to study intraspecific diversity in polysaccharide production and intracellular sugar composition among selected G. lucidum strains. The presence ofintraspecific diversity among 10 G. lucidum strains, from different areas worldwide, was noted. Values of produced mycelia biomass and intracellular polysaccharides were found in wide ranges (3.1 - 28.2 g L(-1) and 20.0 - 53.3 mg g(-1), respectively), while differences in extracellular polysaccharide amounts were minor (0.2 - 1.5 mg mL(-1)). The significant quantitative and qualitative differences in intracellular sugar composition were noted. Glucose was the predominant sugar in almost all strains except one (HAI 447), where sucrose was dominant. The potential of polysaccharide production and intracellular sugar composition could be one more taxonomic criterion for strain characterization within G. lucidum. The differences in intracellular sugar composition and proportions could be reflected in features of produced polysaccharides and also in their biological activities.

Influence of Ganoderma lucidum strains and culture medium on fruit body formation and angiotensin I-converting enzyme inhibition

Influence of Ganoderma lucidum strains and culture medium on fruit body formation and angiotensin I-converting enzyme inhibition

Tea waste as a supplement for the cultivation of Ganoderma lucidum

Tea waste (TW) was investigated as a new supplement for substrate mixtures in Ganoderma lucidum cultivation. The effects of sawdust (S) based substrates supplemented with TW at the various levels (75S:25TW, 80S:20TW, 85S:15TW, and 90S:10TW) and Ganoderma lucidum strains on yield, biological efficiency (BE) and the chemical composition of fruiting bodies were determined in solid-state fermentation. Significant differences were found among substrates regarding yield and BE, while yield and BE of the strains were not different. The substrate formulations producing highest yield and BE were 80S:20TW (87.98 g/kg substrate and 34.90%) and 75S:25TW (82.30 g/kg substrate and 31%). Yield and BE of substrates containing TW were generally higher than that of the control (80sawdust:18wheat bran:1sucrose:1 CaCO3). Nitrogen, potassium, iron, and manganese contents and C:N ratios of substrates were strongly correlated with yield. BE showed positive and significant correlations with potassium, iron and manganese. Moisture content, potassium, magnesium, calcium, iron, and zinc contents of the fruiting bodies were affected by both strain and substrate. It was concluded that TW can be used as a supplement for substrate preparation in G. lucidum cultivation.

Fingerprint analysis of Lingzhi (Ganoderma) strains by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with chemometric methods

A high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-based system has been developed for generating chemical fingerprints of Lingzhi (Ganoderma). Data were evaluated statistically using hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) and discriminant analysis (DA) in order to classify the samples and to identify key categorizing parameters. Fifteen representative Lingzhi strains (13 Ganoderma lucidum strains and one strain each of G. sinense and G. resinaceum), were separated into three groups using HCA at a rescaled distance of 10, thereby confirming divisions based on morphological characteristics. Furthermore, the 13 G. lucidum strains were separated into three groups at a rescaled distance of 5, which was consistent with previous results based on antagonism tests. Two types of discriminant functions were generated using six selected predictor variables. To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of the feasibility and advantages of employing chromatographic fingerprinting, combined with HCA and DA, for the accurate identification and validation of feedstock strains used in the production of Lingzhi-based health foods and supplements.

Development of strain-specific SCAR markers for authentication of Ganoderma lucidum

In this study we report the application of sequence-characterized amplified region (SCAR) markers in Ganoderma lucidum for strain identification, the first such study in this medicinal mushroom. One fragment unique to strain No. 9 was identified by inter-simple sequence repeats (ISSR), and then sequenced. Based on the specific fragment, one SCAR primer pair designated as GL612F and GL612R was designed to amplify a 612-bp DNA fragment within the sequenced region. Diagnostic PCR was performed using the primer pair. The results showed that this SCAR marker can clearly distinguish strain No. 9 from other related Ganoderma lucidum strains. Our data provided the foundation for a precise and rapid PCR-based strain-diagnostic system for Ganoderma lucidum.

Influence of the extracts isolated from Ganoderma lucidum mushroom on some microorganisms

Ganoderma lucidum (Leyss.: Fr) Karst, a mushroom-like fungus is one of the most famous traditional Chinese medicinal herbs. It received wide popularity as a healthy food and medicine in the Far East for more than 2000 years because of its high medicinal value. One of very interesting aspects of G. lucidum's performance is antimicrobial effect due to the extracts derived from this mushroom, which contain bacteriolitic enzyme, lysozyme and acid protease. The effects of these extracts depend on their composition extraction mode and refining. Bioactive components isolated from several G. lucidum's strains showed different effects on the investigated microorganisms. In some cases, the influence was very intensive, with inhibitory or stimulating effect, while some of them did not show any influence on the investigated microorganisms.

Possibility of modernization of Ganoderma lucidum strains substrate

Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi mushroom), the object of our experiments, is also known to contain medicinal compounds. This fungus has been used for many centuries as medicine in China. The fruiting body of the fungus contains carbohydrates, amino acids, little protein, fat, alkaloids, vitamins and minerals. Two groups of its substances are reported to be effective particularly. One of them is constituted by the polysaccharides, whose antitumor and immunostimulating effects are well demonstrated, and the other is constituted by the triterpenes. The latter include ganoderic acids, ganolucidic acids and lucideric acids. These acids have been reported to suppress liver hyperactivity (Lelley 1999). The experiment was carried out with 8 Reishi mushroom strains in 3 repetitions. Experiments were performed on 3 different substrates The spawn run period took approximately 2 weeks, the first fruiting bodies appeared on the 33rd day from inoculation, but the formation of the fruiting bodies took almost 70 days on the different substrates. Spawn run presented a diversified picture as influenced by the specific substrates. No spawn run was seen with any of the strains on the substrate composed of 100% wheat straw. Among the strains the fastest spawn run was produced by GA02 and GA06. The earliest start of spawn run was registered for substrate 1 after 1 week.

Analysis of genetic variation in Ganoderma Lucidum after space flight

A modified CTAB method was used in the extraction of total cellular DNA of Ganoderma lucidum. Four strains Cx, Ch, C3 and C4, and their counterparts, four space flown strains Sx, Xh, S3 and S4, were analysed by amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) with several primer combinations. Polymorphic bands were detected between Sx and Cx, S3 and C3, respectively. Somatic incompatibility tests further confirmed their heterogeneity. However, no disparity between Sh and Ch, S4 and C4 was detectable. The results suggest that spaceflight may be used to accelerate breeding of Ganoderma lucidum strains for commercial cultivation.

Comparison of Characteristics of Ganoderma lucidum According to Geographical Origins : Consideration of Morphological Characteristics (II)

Nine species of genus Ganoderma different in cultural characteristics each other were separated hy histo-anatoniical differences. Differences among the species and geographic distribution of G. lucidum were also analyzed to provide the criteria for the classification of Korean cultivation or wild type strains. Korean cultivation and wild type strains were quiet different from other species as well as Taiwan and North American G. lucidum strains in histo-anatomical traits of Ganoderma. Pore color of Korean G. lucidum strains was less brown than those of Taiwan and North American strains. Shapes of pores were round or circular in Korean strains but ellipsoidal or angular in Taiwan or North American strains. Pore numbers of Korean strains were more than those (4~6/mm) of Taiwan or North American strains. Hardness of the pileus of Korean strains was much more than that of Taiwan or North American strains. Such characteristics of Korean strains were different from those of other species of Ganoderma. Korean G. lucidum strains could be classified into the other group because they had many different traits in growth characteristics of fruiting bodies and histo-anatomical characteristics from those of Taiwan or North American G. lucidum and other species of G. lucidum complex.