Phytochemical analysis of cultivated medicinal mushroom- Ganoderma sp.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the phytochemical contents of indigenous cultivated Ganoderma sp. (Curt.) P. Karst. in comparison to other mushrooms found in literature. The cultivated indigenous medicinal mushroom (Ganoderma sp.) can be available all-year round, as compared with the wild or imported/foreign Ganoderma sp. which are scarce, seasonal and expensive. Phytochemical analysis was carried out using Methanol, Ethanol, Dichloromethane and Aqueous extracts. Preliminary tests indicated the presence of secondary metabolites (alkaloids, tannins, phenols, terpenoids, flavonoids, steroids) and high carbohydrate contents in the cultivated Ganoderma fruiting bodies. Results of the quantitative analysis showed the highest value of phenol in aqueous extract, with the least value in Dichloromethane extract for flavonoids. The results obtained from this study reveals that the cultivated indigenous medicinal mushroom, Ganoderma sp. is a potential source of secondary metabolites which are beneficial as nutraceuticals in industries and pharmaceuticals.