Current Techniques for the Cultivation of Ganoderma lucidum for the Production of Biomass, Ganoderic Acid and Polysaccharides
Ricardo Wagner1, David Alexander Mitchell1*, Guilherme Lanzi Sassaki1, Maria Angela Lopes de Almeida Amazonas2 and Marin Berovič3
1Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Cx. P. 19046, Centro Politécnico, Curitiba 81531-990, Paraná, Brasil
2Centro Nacional de Pesquisa de Florestas, Embrapa Florestas, Cx. P. 319 Colombo, 83411-000 Paraná, Brasil
3Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, SI-1115 Ljubljana, Slovenia
Article history:
Received: June 18, 2003
Accepted: November 10, 2003
Key words:
Ganoderma lucidum, submerged fermentation, polysaccharide, ganoderic acid
Summary:
Ganoderma lucidum is a medicinal mushroom that has been used in the Orient for more than 2000 years. Due to the long time required for basidiocarp formation, attention has recently been given to the use of submerged fermentation for the production of mycelial biomass and its bioactive components, such as polysaccharides and ganoderic acids. We review the current state of knowledge about the cultivation of G. lucidum by modern fermentation techniques, focussing on the effects of fermentation conditions and how knowledge of these effects has been used to develop strategies for improving the production of biomass, polysaccharides and ganoderic acid. We also outline the methods that have been used for biomass and product recovery and point out potential problems involved in these steps. Studies to date have been almost entirely limited to laboratory scale and much more understanding of the physiology of G. lucidum and its relationship with growth morphology will be necessary before it will be possible to develop economical large scale processes.
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