Ganoderma: The mushroom of immortality

Ganoderma is the genus from order Aphyllophorales with more than 300 species. Ganoderma contains various compound that showed many biological activities e.g. enhancer of immune system, antitumor, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and acetyl cholinesterase inhibitory action. These bioactive compounds related to the triterpenoids and polysaccharides classes. Proteins, lipids, phenols, sterols, and others, are also recorded. Ganoderma is currently an important source in the pharmaceutical industry and is one of the most promissing projects in the world of food and medicine, which is being highlighted these days. In Egypt seven species of Ganoderma were recorded by Abdel-Azeem (2018). Among cultivated mushrooms, G. lucidum is unique in that its pharmaceutical rather than nutritional value is paramount. A variety of commercial G. lucidum products are available in various forms, such as powders, dietary supplements, and tea. These are produced from different parts of the mushroom, including mycelia, spores, and fruit body. The commercial cultivation of Ganoderma in Egypt not started yet. In this article the most important bioactive materials produced by Ganoderma, their applications and business opportunity in Egypt will be discussed.