Liquid chromatographic characterization of the triterpenoid patterns in Ganoderma lucidum and related species

Reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography was applied to the determination of the triterpenoids compositions in the Chinese medicinal fungus Ganoderma lucidum (Fr.) Karst and several taxonomically related species. Twenty-five well-characterized reference triterpenoids were selected for compositional comparison. It was found that characterization based on triterpenoid profile mapping was compatible with the morphological classification. The very unique oxygenated triterpenoids, which up to now have only been identified in the genus Genoderma, provided supporting evidence for classification. The triterpenoid profiles also gave characteristic information for distinguishing this medicinal fungus from other taxonomically related species. The method was also applicable to screening of specific triterpenoids with particular biological activities.