Medicinal Plant Research 2024, Vol.14, No.6, 320-333 http://hortherbpublisher.com/index.php/mpr 329 7 Quality Control and Standardization 7.1 Quality assessment parameters Ganoderma lucidum is renowned for its diverse array of bioactive compounds, which include polysaccharides, triterpenoids, and polyphenols. These compounds are primarily responsible for the mushroom's therapeutic properties, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and hepatoprotective activities (Oke et al., 2022; Swallah et al., 2023). Polysaccharides, in particular, have garnered significant attention due to their high biotherapeutic properties, making them a critical quality indicator in Ganoderma lucidumproducts (Alsaheb et al., 2020; Kachrimanidou et al., 2023). Evaluating the purity and potency of Ganoderma lucidumproducts involves several analytical techniques. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) are commonly used to assess the chemical composition and confirm the presence of key bioactive compounds (Kachrimanidou et al., 2023). Additionally, the antioxidant activity of polysaccharides can be evaluated to determine their potency, ensuring that the products meet the desired therapeutic standards (Kachrimanidou et al., 2023). 7.2 Standardization of cultivation practices Standardizing the cultivation practices of Ganoderma lucidumis essential to ensure consistent quality and yield of bioactive compounds. Guidelines for substrate preparation should include the use of agro-industrial by-products such as grape pomace and cheese whey, which have been shown to enhance biomass production and bioactive compound yield (Kachrimanidou et al., 2023). Environmental conditions, such as pH, temperature, and agitation, should be optimized to support the highest production of polysaccharides and other bioactive compounds (Alsaheb et al., 2020; Kachrimanidou et al., 2023). To ensure consistency across different production facilities, it is crucial to implement standardized protocols for substrate preparation, inoculation, and environmental control. This includes maintaining controlled pH conditions and optimizing carbon and nitrogen sources to achieve maximal yield (Alsaheb et al., 2020). Regular monitoring and quality checks should be conducted to ensure that all facilities adhere to these standardized practices, thereby guaranteeing uniformity in the final product quality. 7.3 Regulatory challenges in product quality The regulatory landscape for medicinal mushroom products, including Ganoderma lucidum, varies significantly across different countries. International regulations often require rigorous safety assessments, quality assurance, and efficacy testing to ensure that the products meet the required standards for medicinal use (Swallah et al., 2023). Compliance with these regulations is essential for the global market acceptance of Ganoderma lucidum products. One of the major challenges in the standardization of Ganoderma lucidumproducts is the variability in global quality standards. Different countries may have varying requirements for the levels of bioactive compounds, purity, and potency. Addressing this variability requires a harmonized approach to quality control, which includes adopting standardized analytical methods and establishing international guidelines for the cultivation and processing of Ganoderma lucidum (Oke et al., 2022; Swallah et al., 2023). This will help in ensuring that the products are consistent and meet the therapeutic expectations across different markets. 8 Future Prospects and Research Directions 8.1 Innovations in cultivation technology The future of Ganoderma lucidumcultivation lies in the continuous improvement and innovation of cultivation technologies. Recent studies have demonstrated the potential of submerged cultivation systems as an alternative to conventional solid-state fermentation, significantly enhancing the yield of bioactive compounds such as exopolysaccharides (EPS) (Alsaheb et al., 2020). Additionally, the development of bioreactors tailored for fungal liquid static culture has shown promise in optimizing the production of triterpenoids, particularly ganoderic acids, which are crucial for the medicinal value of G. lucidum(Hu et al., 2018). Strain improvement through methods such as ultraviolet ray irradiation has also been identified as a viable approach to increase spore yield and resistance to microbial invasions, further supporting industrial-scale production (Tang et al., 2023).
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