Enhanced production of ganoderic acids in static liquid culture of Ganoderma lucidum under nitrogen-limiting conditions

► Production of antitumor ganoderic acids (GAs) was enhanced by nitrogen limitation. ► The effect of nitrogen limitation on GAs production was investigated quantitatively. ► Nitrogen limitation induced the transcription level of a putative regulator AreA. ► Nitrogen limitation induced the transcription levels of hmgr, fps, sqs and ls.