Isolation of <i>Ganoderma lucidum</i> (Curtis) P. Karst. From the Wild in Lagos through Tissue Culture Techniques and Cultivation on Sawdust of Six Nigerian Hardwoods

Abstract

Cultivation of Ganoderma lucidum (Curtis) P. Karst, a medicinal mushroom known for antioxidant, antitumor, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory activities is not practiced in Nigeria. Tree species used for cultivation in Asia, America and Europe are not available in Nigeria. The present study investigated indigenous hardwoods and their supplementation with rice and wheat bran as substrates for its cultivation. Six hardwoods (Mansonia altissima (A Chev.) A Chev., Avecennia germinans (L.) L, Lophira alata Banks ex Gaertn., Triplochiton scleoxylon K. Schum, Uapaca guineensis Mull. Arg, Nauclea diderrichii (De Wild. & Th. Dur.) Merrill) were investigated as potential growth substrates and potentially improve biological efficiency. The mushroom was collected from the wild and identification confirmed by amplifying the ribosomal DNA-ITS fragment with ITS1 and ITS4 primers. Tissue culture of the mushroom collected from the wild was initiated successfully with modified malt extract agar and grain spawn developed from it. The substrates were incubated after inoculation with grain spawn at room temperature for 30-60 days. Substrates were given cold treatment for 7days to induce fructification which was achieved with 9-10h/day regime and daily watering. There was full mycelial ramification of all substrates by the mushroom. Fruit bodies were harvested from all substrates but Lophira alata. The highest yield (308.76±5.81g/kg) was recorded with Mansonia altissima (Biological Efficiency-31.42±4.55%) and the least yield (31.45±5.44g/kg) was recorded in Nauclea diderrichii (B.E- 5.25±0.58%). The substrates with wheat bran performed significantly better than rice bran supplemented substrates. Commercial cultivation of native G. lucidum in Nigeria is possible with local agricultural wastes.