Qualitative analysis of ganoderic acids in Ganoderma lucidum from Iran and China by RP-HPLC and electrospray ionisation-mass spectrometry (ESI-MS)

Ganoderma lucidum is used as a health food and medicine in Far East and produces different ganoderic acids which are well known for their valuable bioactivities. In this study, two different strains of G. lucidum from Iran and China were investigated for ganoderic acids, using reversed phase HPLC (RP-HPLC) in combination with UV and electrospray ionisation-mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). The results showed a relatively low intensity ganoderic acid C2 peak in the chromatogram of the Iranian sample. However, three high intensity peaks attributed to the well known ganoderic acids including ganoderic acids T, Me and H from the Chinese strain. These findings clearly indicated that different strains of G. lucidum could posses a range of active compounds and hence, bioactivities. Moreover, the variation in the triterpenoid components encourages more studies on the rest of bioactive molecules, and also different strains grown in a variety of climatic and geographical conditions.