Breeding of new Ganoderma lucidum strains simultaneously rich in polysaccharides and triterpenes by mating basidiospore-derived monokaryons of two commercial cultivars

- Freshly collected basidiospores of Ganoderma lucidum were found to be able to germinate.
- A hybrid simultaneously rich in polysaccharides and triterpenes and with satisfactory biological efficiency was bred.
- The present study is the first report on the development of new G. lucidum strains via mating by means of basidiospore-derived monokaryons.

The aim of this study was to breed G. lucidum strains simultaneously rich in polysaccharides and triterpenes by mating of basidiospore monokaryons of two commercial cultivars, G. lucidum JC and AL. By incubation of freshly collected basidiospores, 31 monokaryons were isolated (19 from strain JC, and 12 from strain AC), and showed significant differences in mycelial growth and contents of polysaccharide and triterpene. Mating between the two strains yielded 83 instances of sexual compatibility. Of the hybrids isolated, sixteen ones that showed moderate and fast substrate colonization were evaluated in terms of fruiting. All the tested hybrids produced fruiting bodies but varied considerably in time to first harvest, productivity, yield distribution, and pileus shape and color. Significant differences in polysaccharide content (from 6.79 to 18.21 mg/g dry weight) and triterpene content (from 5.90 to 10.87 mg/g dry weight) were also observed among the hybrids. Notably, high concentrations of polysaccharides (16.63 mg/g dry weight) and triterpenes (10.50 mg/g dry weight) were both present in hybrid H-23, with satisfactory biological efficiency (19.41%). An antagonism test and random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis indicated that H-23 is a new hybrid strain. This hybrid may be suitable for use in commercial production of G. lucidum for manufacture of more effective health-promoting and medicinal products. To our knowledge, the present study is the first report on the development of new G. lucidum strains via mating by means of basidiospore-derived monokaryons.