Incorporating Ganoderma lucidum extract and powder with probiotic cultures (Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis) enhanced the functional, textural, and sensory qualities of yogurt

In this study, the extract and powder obtained from the Reishi mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum) were used in the production of yogurt, and also Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis bacteria were also inoculated. Furthermore, all values were also affected in parallel with the increase in the added ratio. Reishi mushroom powder and extract also increased the samples’ total antioxidant and phenolic values. Among the samples, the highest total phenolic content was found in the 2EA-coded sample with 2.415 mg GAE/g and the lowest in the control sample with 0.630 mg GAE/g. The highest antioxidant activity was determined in the 2PA-coded sample with a value of 0.198. The powder and extract showed a prebiotic effect by contributing positively to the development of probiotic bacteria added to yogurt. The count of probiotic bacteria in yogurts with Reishi mushroom powder and extract increased by approximately 1.4 log cfu/g. Using powder and extract of the Reishi mushroom in yogurt production gave yogurt significant functionality.