Optimization of Selected Nutritional Parameters Affecting Polysaccharide Production by a Strain of Ganoderma japoncium Grown in Submerged Culture

A strain of Ganoderma japonicum was selected from seven Ganoderma test strains based on a higher mycelial growth rate and ability to produce higher levels of polysaccharide. Comparison of selected nutritional parameters affecting polysaccharide production in small-scale submerged flask cultures revealed that a fermentation medium containing 2% sucrose as carbon source, 0.2% bean cake as nitrogen source, and supplemented with 0.2% FeSO_4 yielded peak amounts of 181.7 mg crude polysaccharide and 151.0 mg fungal biomass per 100 mL fermentation liquid. However, compared with the flask cultures, higher yields of G. japonicum polysaccharide were obtained by submerged culture in a fermenter.