Comparative Analysis of the ITS rDNA Sequence and Nutrient Compositions of an Unnamed Ganoderma Species in Australia

摘要

An Australian species of Ganoderma genus (temporally named Ganoderma nt) mistaken for Ganoderma lucidum, a well-known herbal medicine, was examined with internal transcribed spacer ribosomal DNA (ITS rDNA) sequence as an aid to the taxonomy. Variation between G. nt and G. lucidum in the ITS rDNA sequence was 2%～ 4%. Also nutrient value in this species was analyzed compared with G. lucidum. G. nt had similar contents to G. lucidum in polysaccharides and mon0saccharides on dry mass base in fruit body. However, G. nt fruit body had higher soluble protein (14mg/g dry mass) and fatty acids (5.6mg/g dry mass) contents. Mycelia of G. nt obtained from shaking and static cultures had higher contents of polysaccharides and monosaccharides (100～140mg/g dry mass) than fruit bodies (～13mg/g dry mass). These results indicate that G. nt is closely related to G. lucidum in morphology (lower genetic variability; taxonomy) and nutrient value, and is likely to have comparable function as a herbal medicine or dietary supplementation.