Asian Journal of Applied Chemistry Research

Background: Ganoderma lucidum is of increasing scientific interest due to its beneficial effects on human health. LUGA is an edible mushroom rich in nutritional, functional and therapeutic qualities. Despite its proven integration into traditional pharmacopoeias and its use for therapeutic purposes in Africa, particularly in Côte d'Ivoire, the use of this substance remains poorly documented, and scientific data are limited.

Aim: The study aims to evaluate the influence of different solvents (aqueous, ethanolic, ethyl acetate and hexane) on LUGA fungal chemical compounds collected in the Lôh-Djiboua region of Côte d'Ivoire.

Study Design, Place and duration of the Study: All these preparations were carried out at the Laboratory of Biotechnology and Valorization of Natural Bioactive Substances (LBVSNB) of the National Center of Floristics (CNF) of the University Félix Houphouët Boigny in Abidjan, between April 2023 and August 2025.

Methods: Extraction methods, qualitative and quantitative analyses of polyphenols, flavonoids, terpenoids and alkaloids with spectrophotometers were used to obtain the results of this study. Total polyphenols were measured using the Folin–Ciocalteu method, terpenoids by sulfuric acid reaction, alkaloids using Dragendorff’s reagent, and flavonoids via aluminum chloride complex formation.

Results: The extraction yields were calculated and showed a predominance of polar fractions, with values of 15.12% for the aqueous extract and 14.56% for the hydroethanolic extract, while the aqueous fractions of the partitions showed the highest yields (P1-1: 60.54%, P2-1: 62.82%). Fungal chemical screening revealed the systematic presence of sterols, polyterpenes, flavonoids and polyphenols in all extracts, while saponosides, quinones, tannins and alkaloids were concentrated in the polar fractions. The total aqueous extract had the highest concentration of terpenoids (210 mg linolein equivalent/g of extract) and a trace of alkaloids (0.42 mg atropine equivalent/g of extract), twice as much as the hydroethanol extract, which is0.20 mg atropine equivalent/g of extract. While the latter extract expressed the highest concentrations of flavonoids (60 mg linolein equivalent/g of extract) and polyphenols (0.70 mg gallic acid equivalent/g of extract). The partitions confirmed that polar solvents extract mainly hydrophilic compounds, while the hexanic and acetane fractions concentrate semi-polar or lipophilic terpenoids.

Conclusion: LUGA exhibited a high richness in secondary metabolites, particularly triterpenes and alkaloids. The findings also highlighted the critical role of appropriate solvent selection and analytical techniques in accurately characterizing extracts and their fractions. Overall, this study provides a strong scientific foundation for the potential application of Ganoderma lucidum in medical, nutraceutical, and cosmetic fields.