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Chemical Composition, Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Activities of the Volatile Oil of Ganoderma pfeifferi Bres

Summary

This research examined the chemical components and health benefits of essential oil extracted from a European mushroom species called Ganoderma pfeifferi. The study found that this mushroom oil contains powerful compounds that can fight harmful bacteria and act as antioxidants. Impact on everyday life: • Could lead to new natural antibiotics for treating infections • Provides a potential source of natural preservatives for food and cosmetics • Offers new possibilities for natural antioxidant supplements • May help reduce dependence on synthetic antimicrobial chemicals • Could contribute to development of eco-friendly preservatives

Background

The genus Ganoderma belongs to the family Ganodermataceae and includes over 200 species worldwide. While some species, particularly in East Asia, are used in traditional medicine and as dietary supplements, Ganoderma pfeifferi Bres. is less studied. This parasitic basidiomycete is found only in Europe, growing on various tree species including Fagus, Aesculus, Acer, Fraxinus, and Quercus.

Objective

To analyze the chemical composition and investigate the antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of the volatile oil extracted from Ganoderma pfeifferi fruiting bodies, as this is the first study of its kind on this species.

Results

Four volatile compounds representing 90.5% of the total oil were identified. The major component was 1-octen-3-ol (73.6%), followed by 1-octen-3-ol acetate (12.4%), phenylacetaldehyde (3.0%), and 6-camphenol (1.5%). The oil showed strong antimicrobial activity, particularly against Gram-positive bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans. It also demonstrated potent antioxidant activity with 90.9% inhibition at 1 mg/mL compared to ascorbic acid (96.2%).

Conclusion

This first report on G. pfeifferi volatile oil composition and biological properties provides evidence supporting its potential pharmaceutical applications and establishes a foundation for future research on volatile oils from Ganodermataceae species.
  • Published in:Medicines (Basel),
  • Study Type:Laboratory Research,
  • Source: 10.3390/medicines3020010
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