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Plant Science Today (PST)

Research Articles

Early Access

Diversity and characterisation of Ganoderma species from the northeastern hills of India

DOI
https://doi.org/10.14719/pst.12268
Submitted
15 October 2025
Published
17-10-2026

Abstract

The present investigation was undertaken to characterise Ganoderma species collected from Longleng district of Nagaland, India, using morphological, biochemical and molecular approaches. Four sporocarp samples were collected from different host trees during the 2024 rainy season and examined for their macroscopic features such as pileus shape, size, margin, context and pore characteristics, as well as microscopic features including basidiospores and hyphal structures. Two isolates (GLN1 and GLN2) were successfully cultured on potato dextrose agar (PDA), where they displayed distinct colony growth patterns, pigmentation and radial expansion rates. Biochemical profiling revealed that GLN2 contained almost double the water-soluble polysaccharide content (14.37 mg g-1 dry weight) compared with GLN1 (7.74 mg g-1 dry weight), while insoluble polysaccharides ranged from 2.10–2.91 mg g-1 dry weight. Antioxidant assays showed that polyphenol-rich extracts, particularly from isolate GLN2, exhibited stronger 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, reaching approximately 60 % inhibition at 0.5 mg mL-1 (EC₅₀ = 0.23 ± 0.05 mg mL-1) compared with 36 % inhibition and a higher EC₅₀ (0.69 ± 0.02 mg mL-1) for GLN1. Consistently, GLN2 also recorded higher total polyphenol content (27.9 mg g-1 extract) than GLN1 (16.5 mg g-1 extract), confirming its superior antioxidant potential. Molecular identification was carried out through ITS rDNA sequencing, with BLAST analysis showing 99­-100 % similarity to Ganoderma lucidum. Phylogenetic analysis placed both isolates within the G. lucidum complex but in a distinct sub-clade, suggesting possible genetic divergence and local adaptation of Nagaland isolates. The combined morphological, biochemical and molecular data indicate that these isolates possess unique traits of pharmacological importance. The study enriches the understanding of Ganoderma diversity in Northeast India and underscores its potential for nutraceutical and community-based cultivation. Furthermore, the findings highlight the potential for developing community-based cultivation and commercialisation strategies that could benefit local farmers and promote sustainable utilisation of this medicinal mushroom.

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