Stimulated Production of Triterpenoids of Ganoderma lucidum by an Ether Extract from the Medicinal Insect, Catharsius molossus, and Identification of the Key Stimulating Active Components

Abstract

The medicinal fungus Ganoderma lucidum was inoculated into the media with and without supplementation of medicinal insect extracts to screen stimulators from Chinese medicinal insects for mycelial growth and triterpenoids production in submerged fermentation. The methanol and ether extracts of the tested insects had no significant stimulatory effect on the mycelial biomass production (P > 0.05), and those of H. remigator and Mylabris phalerata markedly inhibited the mycelial growth. However, the ether extract of Catharsius molossus at a concentration of 200 mg l(-1) led to a significant increase in triterpenoids concentration from 231.7 ± 9.77 to 313.7 ± 10.6 mg l(-1) (P < 0.01). Analysis of fermentation kinetics of G. lucidum suggests that glucose concentration in the extract of C. molossus-added group decreased more quickly as compared to the control group from day 2 to day 7 of fermentation process, while the triterpenoids biosynthesis was promoted at the same culture period. However, the culture pH profile was not affected by the addition of the extract. Chemical study of the extract show that cis-9,10-methylenehexadecanoic acid (9,10-MEA) and hexadecanoic acid (especially 9,10-MEA) were the key active compounds of the extract responsible for the stimulatory effect on the triterpenoids production.

Stimulated production of steroids in Inonotus obliquus by host factors from birch

“…To accelerate the production of metabolites by I. obliquus, effect of different lignocellulosic materials have been studied (18,21). Other studies also reported that the extracts from host-related species can stimulate mycelial biomass and metabolite production of medicinal mushroom such as Ganoderma lucidum (22,23).…”

Enhanced triterpene acid production by Ganoderma lucidum using a feeding stimulus integrated with a two‐stage pH‐control strategy

“…Our previous study demonstrated that the EECM concentration during fermentation was the key factor in triterpene production . In addition, a pH gradient or differing pH values for the first half and the second half of fermentation showed a significant effect on triterpene production .…”

“…The insect, C. molossus, was purchased from Bozhou Three Flavor Pharmaceutical Co. (Bozhou, Anhui, China). The EECM was prepared according to methods described in our previous work . EECM constituents are mainly fatty acids and fatty acid derivatives, of which, the putative active compounds, cis ‐9,10‐methylenehexadecanoic acid and hexadecanoic acid, represent 2.36% and 20.59% of the EECM constituents, respectively.…”

“…The measurement of the total triterpene acids was made according to the method described in our previous work with slight modifications . The dried mycelia (2 g) were extracted using circumfluence with 75% (v/v) ethanol (100 mL) for 3 h. After circumfluence, the mycelia were removed by centrifugation, and the supernatant was dried at 50°C under vacuum.…”

Neuroprotective activities of fermented Ganoderma lucidum extracts by lactic acid bacteria against H2O2-stimulated oxidative stress in PC12 cells

“…Cha Ganoderma lucidum has long been used in the form of tea or powder to promote health and prolong life in China, Korea, and Japan (21). It is particularly known to contain pharmacologically active triterpenoids as well as a large amount of β-glucan, which is a type of polysaccharide, and it is effective in lowering blood pressure and reducing blood sugar levels, in addition to its antitumor and antioxidative activities (22)(23)(24)(25).…”