Phytochemical Screening and Antimicrobial Activity of Kenyan Mushroom Ganoderma lucidum

Aim: To screen the Kenyan Ganoderma lucidum for phytochemicals and to investigate it's potential in the management of some disease-causing microbes.

Study Design: Hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol extraction; phytochemical study and anti-microbial activities were analysed on Kenyan G. lucidum mushroom.

Place and Duration of Study: Masinde Muliro University Science laboratories from January 2019 and March 2019.

Methodology: Sequential extraction of dried samples was done using hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol. The crude extracts were assayed against Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Pseudomonas aeroginosa, and Creptococcus neoformans using agar well diffusion method. Ampicillin and nystatin were respectively used as controls for bacteria and fungi. Zones of inhibition measured signified the antimicrobial activity.

Results: The following group of compounds were present in the mushroom; terpenoids, carbohydrates, phenolic compounds, glycosides and polyoses. Hexane and methanol extracts showed significant activity at (P= 0.022) against MRSA while ethyl acetate extract was active against Streptococcus pyogenes (P=0.05).

Conclusion: Kenyan Ganoderma lucidum contains terpenoids, carbohydrates, phenolic compounds, glycosides, flavonoids and phytosterols. Crude extracts (hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol) were active against MRSA and Streptococcus pyogenes.