Effects of culture media and three metal ions on the accumulation of lanosterol and ergosterol in cultured mycelia of Inonotus obliquus

Lanosterol and ergosterol are the active principles with potential pharmacological activities in Inonotus obliquus. However, the two sterols are less accumulated in cultured mycelia of the fungus. In this study, different carbon and nitrogen sources and pH levels together with three metal ions were assayed for their effects on accumulation of the two sterols in the fungus. Among the tested media the growth medium consisting of glucose (1.5%), rice powder (0.5%), yeast extract (0.4%), wheat bran (0.1%), KH2PO4 (0.01%) and MgSO4·7H2O (0.05%) with pH level at 6.5 yielded a maximum production of the two sterols, which can further be increased following the treatment of Ag+, Cu2+ and Ca2+. Supplementing Ag+ at concentrations of 0.28 and 0.35μmol partially inhibited ergosterol biosynthesis, leading to an enhanced accumulation of lanosterol, the presence of intermediates of ergosterol biosynthetic pathway and a reduced accumulation of ergosterol in cultured mycelia of I.

Aqueous Two-phase Systems with Ultrasonic Extraction Used for Extracting Phenolic Compounds from Inonotus obliquus

Objective To optimize the extracting technology of assessing the maximum yield of phenolic compounds (PC) from Inonotus obliquus by single factor experiments and orthogonal array design methods through aqueous two-phase systems combined with ultrasonic extraction. Methods The range of the independent variables, namely levels of acetone and ammonium sulfate, and ultrasonic time were identified by a first set of single factor experiments. The actual values of the independent variables coded at four levels and three factors were selected based on the results of the single factor experiments. Subsequently, the levels of acetone and ammonium sulfate, and ultrasonic time were optimized using the orthogonal array method. Results The optimum conditions for the extraction of PC were found to use 7.0 mL acetone, 5.5 mg ammonium sulfate, with ultrasonic time for 5 min. Under these optimized conditions, the experimental maximum yield of PC was 37.8 mg/g, much higher than that of the traditional ultrasonic extraction (UE, 29.0 mg/g). And the PC obtained by this method had stronger anti-oxidative activities than those by traditional UE method. Conclusion These results indicate the suitability of the models developed and the success in optimizing the extraction conditions. This is an economical and efficient method for extracting polyphenols from I. obliquus.