Genetic identification, morphological, ecological and physiological characteristics of medicinal mushroom Ganoderma lucidum (Curt. : Fr.) Karst. collections.

Genetic identification, morphological, ecological and physiological characteristics of collections of medicinal mushroom Ganoderma lucidum (Curt. : Fr.) Karst. Badalyan S.M. 1, Gharibyan N.G.1, Iotti M.2 and Zambonelli A.2 1Laboratory of Fungal Biology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology, Yerevan State University, 1 Aleg Manoogian St., 0025, Yerevan, Armenia 2Dipartimento di Protezione e Valorizzione Agroalimentare, University of Bologna, via Fanin 46, 40127 Bologna, Italy Wood-decaying white rot fungus Ganoderma lucidum (Curt. : Fr.) P. Karst. (Lingzhi in Chinese; Reishi, Mannentake, or Sachitake in Japanese; and Youngzi in Korean) belongs to the family Ganodermataceae (Aphyllophoromycetideae, Basidiomycetes). The typical morphological feature of G. lucidum is shiny (laccate), yellowish or reddish-brown to black pilear surface of basidiocarp. This species is widely used in traditional medicine of Eastern countries from the ancient times. Several bioactive substances (polysaccharides, triterpens, etc.) with immune-modulating, hypoglycemic, hipolipidemic, antimicrobial and other therapeutic effects were isolated from G. lucidum. As a valuable Chinese herb G. lucidum has gained wide popularity in recent years. In nowadays, several biotech-products, dietary supplements and functional food additives with different formulations (tablets, powders, teas, etc.) obtained from fruiting bodies and mycelium of G. lucidum are largely consumable in the world market. The Ganoderma is morphologically the most complex genus with several synonymous names. The species reported in pharmacological studies as G. lucidum often were wrongly identified. A molecular survey of taxa labeled as G. lucidum in Asia shows that this name was largely misapplied. Recent taxonomic studies indicate that G. lucidum is species complex and composed of seven geographically restricted species (G. valesiacum, G. ahamdii, G. tsugae, G. oregonense, G. resinaceum, G. oerstedii and G. praelongum) [5]. The Reishi mushroom is worldwide spread species. It is largely distributed in Armenia, as well. Armenian collections of G. lucidum were reported from Lori, Ijevan and Zangezur floristic regions on Quercus, Acer, Fagus, Juglans and Carpinus trees [2, 4]. Culture collections isolated from fruiting bodies of Ganoderma specimens found in Armenia and France on broad leaves tree and Quercus wood, respectively were genetically identified as G. lucidum using nuclear rDNA-ITS sequences data by direct PCR technique [3]. The morphological, ecological and physiological characteristics of mycelium at different culture conditions were thoroughly described [1]. The obtained results will allow controlling biotechnological cultivation of this valuable medicinal mushroom for obtaining high yield mycelial biomass and health enhancing novel biotech-products. References [1] Badalyan S.M., Gharibyan N.G., Sakeyan C.Z., 2005. Catalogue of the Fungal Culture Collection at the Yerevan State University. Yerevan: YSU, 58 p. [2] Badalyan S.M., Gharibyan N.G., 2008. Macroscopic Fungi from Central Part of Virahayotz Mountains’ Forests of Armenia and Their Medicinal Properties. Yerevan: YSU, 65 p. [3] Iotti M., Zambonelli A., 2006. A quick and precise technique for identifying ectomycorrhizas by PCR. Mycol. Res. 110, 60-65. [4] Melik-Khachatryan J.H., Martirosyan S. 1971. Mycoflora of Armenia. V. 2, YSU. 381p. [5] Moncalvo J.M., Wang H.H., Hseu R.S., 1995. Mycologia, 87: 223-238.