Page 21 - KVIS Book

LIS02I

Colorimetric quantification of triterpenoids in lingzhi
mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum) and colorimetric

instrument development for the development of cultivation

Pawit Wangsuekul, Pratimakorn Petsirasan, Tayawee Kaenkaew
Kamnoetvidya Science Academy, Thailand
Supervisor: Sakol Warintaraporn
Email: pawit_w@kvis.ac.th

Lingzhi mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum) is an herbal mushroom known to have many health
benefits: inhibiting growth of tumor and cancer, improving liver function and detoxify from our
body, etc. Lingzhi mushroom contains triterpenoids, which were found to worth a lot for
pharmaceutical uses. There are various methods to determine the triterpenoids in lingzhi
mushroom qualitatively and quantitatively. One method which is less complicated and easy for
result interpretation is colorimetry. This method uses a reaction amongst triterpenoids, vanillin,
and perchloric acid of which the colored product will absorb the light with intensity which is
direct proportion to the concentration of triterpenoids. Also, in this project, we have developed
this method to be more convenient for using outdoor by taking photos using camera in mobile
phone. Variables such as light, camera position and angle are controlled for the results with good
accuracy, precision, and repeatability. This project aims to quantify triterpenoids in the lingzhi
mushroom using a colorimetric method. First, the calibration curve between absorbance and
concentration of triterpenoids would be plotted by UV-visible spectrophotometry using ursolic
acid as standard triterpenoids. Next, the calibration curve by determining the color of standard
in the photos from camera in mobile phone would be plotted and then both calibration curves
would be compared by applying with real lingzhi mushroom. Lastly, quantification of
triterpenoids in lingzhi mushroom extract would be performed to develop the method of
mushroom cultivation to increase the amount of triterpenoids, e.g. vary the ingredients of
compost for mushroom cultivation. From the results, we got a standard calibration curve from
UV-vis spectrophotometry with good precision and linearity. Then, we got the calibration curve
from the red, green and blue color value from the mobile phone photo. The red and blue color
gave high linearity comparing with green. After comparing these two methods by using real
mushroom extract, we got 19.85% difference (based on UV-vis spectrophotometry), so we
should develop a controlling kit. Finally, in the cultivation part, we observed that glucose recipe
led to quicker growth. We are currently in the process of measuring the amount of triterpenoids
in these mushrooms.

Keywords: Lingzhi mushroom, Triterpenoids, UV-vis spectrophotometry, Cultivation