Phytochemical analysis and antimicrobial activity of Ganoderma lucidum against selected bacteria and fungi of medical importance

Abstract

Ganoderma lucidum is a rapidly growing mushroom, wood-colonizing fungus belonging to the phylum Basidiomycota. G. lucidum exhibits a wide range of pharmacological properties such as antimicrobial and anticancer activities. However, with its potentials, the antibacterial and antifungal effects of its purified compounds have been relatively understudied. This study aims to investigate the phytochemical analysis and antimicrobial effects of Ganoderma lucidum against selected bacteria and fungi of medical importance. Molecular Identification was done by targeting the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of the rDNA gene. The phytochemical composition of the extract was determined using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Antimicrobial testing was performed using the agar well diffusion method to evaluate the inhibitory effects of the extract against select microorganisms. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis identified 44 compounds in the methanol and 29 compounds in the aqueous extracts of the mushroom. Antimicrobial analysis demonstrated significant inhibitory effects against Staphylococcus aureus (MIC: 10.5 mm), Escherichia coli (MIC: 33.5 mm), and Candida albicans (MIC: 16 mm), as well as Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MIC: 15 mm). The methanol extract showed moderate effects against Rhizopus sp. at concentrations of 5 and 10 mg/ml with (MIC: 16 mm and 18 mm) but showed resistance to the chloramphenicol. However, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger and Penicillium showed resistance against Ganoderma lucidum. Overall, this findings show the extracts has the potential for combating the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance.