Background:
Ganoderma spp. are a great source of bioactive molecules. The production
and recovery of bioactive molecules vary according to strain, growth substrate, and extraction
solution. Variations in protease and their inhibitors in basidiomata from a commercial strain (G.
lingzhi) and an Amazonian isolate (Ganoderma sp.) cultivated in Amazonian lignocellulosic
wastes and extracted with different solutions are plausible and were investigated in our study.
Methods:
Basidiomata from cultivation in substrates based on açaí seed, guaruba-cedro sawdust
and three lots of marupá sawdust were submitted to extraction in water, Tris-HCl, and sodium
phosphate. Protein content, proteases, and protease inhibitors were estimated through different assays.
The samples were characterized by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis
(SDS-PAGE) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy with attenuated total reflectance
(FTIR-ATR).
Results:
Tris-HCl provided higher protein extraction from Ganoderma sp. and higher caseinolytic,
gelatinolytic, and fibrinolytic activity for G. lingzhi cultivated in açaí. Water extracts of Ganoderma
sp., in general, exhibited higher trypsin and papain inhibitor activities compared to G.
lingzhi. Extracts in Tris-HCl and sodium phosphate showed more intense protein bands in SDS--
PAGE, highlighting bands of molecular weights around 100, 50, and 30 kDa. FTIR spectra
showed patterns for proteins in all extracts, with variation in transmittance according to substrate
and extractor.
Conclusion:
Water extract from Amazonian Ganoderma sp. cultivated in marupá wastes are
promising as a source of protease inhibitors, while the Tris-HCL extract of G. lingzhi from açaí
cultivation stands out as a source of proteases with fibrinolytic, caseinolytic, and gelatinolytic activities.