This research investigated how certain compounds affect the growth of an important medicinal mushroom called Antrodia camphorata. The study found that vanillin, a common flavoring compound, helps promote the germination of fungal spores, while other compounds inhibit growth. Understanding these mechanisms could help improve cultivation of this valuable medicinal mushroom. Impacts on everyday life: – Could lead to better production methods for medicinal mushroom supplements – May help reduce costs of valuable natural medicine products – Advances understanding of how natural compounds affect fungal growth – Could aid development of natural agricultural treatments – Demonstrates importance of molecular biology in improving natural product cultivation