Enhancement of mycelial growth and polysaccharide production in Ganoderma lucidum (the Chinese medicinal fungus, `Lingzhi') by the addition of ethanol
Methanol, ethanol, 1-propanol and 2-propanol, at 1.5% (v/v), enhanced the growth and polysaccharide production of Ganoderma lucidum. Ethanol was the most effective at 1.5% (v/v) for increasing the biomass production, however, the maximal polysaccharide concentration was produced with 2% (v/v) ethanol in the medium. There was no new polysaccharide component produced by the addition of ethanol.
[Effects of extracts of Chinese medicines on Ganoderma lucidum in submerged culture].
Effects of water and ethanol extracts of 10 Chinese medicines, such as Astragalus membranaceus, Coix lachryma-jobi, etc., on biomass and exopolysaccharide of Ganoderma lucidum were studied by submerged culture. The results showed: water extracts of all medicines can improve the culture of G. lucidum except of A. membranaceus, ethanol extracts of C. lachryma-jobi, Dioscorea opposita, Codonopsis pilosula, and Achyranthes bidentata( < 187.5g Medicine/L substrate) can also increase the biomass of G. lucidum, but the ethanol extracts of Angelica sinensis, Dendrobium nobile check the growth of G. lucidum. The production of exopolysa-ccharide can be improved by all the Chinese medicines and their dosage used in this experiment, Although A. sinensis, D. Nobile check the growth of G. lucidum, they could stimulate the secretion of exopolysaccharide in lower dosage. It is concluded that some Chinese medicines, such as C. lachryma-jobi, D. opposita, C. pilosula, etc. can be processed by the fermentation of G. lucidum, and bio-active compound can be produced by adding appropriate Chinese medicine in the substrate to culture G. lucidum.
Investigations on the rôle of organic matter in plant nutrition
1. As the result of decomposition of green manure in a swamp soil, the coarse fractions (including coarse and fine sand) of the surface layer (first 3 inches) decreased by 11·2 per cent. while the fine ones (silt+clay) increased by 9·8 per cent. in the course of 43 days. The effect was less pronounced in the manured soil maintained at 60 per cent. saturation, while no alteration was to be noticed in the case of the unmanured specimens. 2. Treatment with dilute hydrochloric acid prior to dispersion had no appreciable effect on the estimates of mechanical composition obtained in the different cases. Loss in solution was also comparatively small. 3. The silica-sesquioxide ratio increased slightly as the result of decomposition of green manure in swamp soil. The composition of the fine fractions was also altered, the total percentages of the oxides of iron, aluminium and silicon increasing from 90·5 to 99·3 in the course of 71 days. 4. The practical significance of the above and related observations has been discussed.