Molecular Characterization and in-vitro Regeneration of Wild Ganoderma lucidum from Abuja, Nigeria

Aim: To demonstrate the importance of molecular identification of G. lucidum basidiomata, used as nutraceutics, in Abuja - Nigeria. Study Design: Molecular characterization via comparative genomics and vitro regeneration of selected specimens of local G. lucidum from Abuja, Nigeria. Place and Duration: Department of Biological Sciences, Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna Nigeria and Biotechnology Advanced Research Center, Sheda Science and Technology Complex, Abuja between February 2018 to June 2019. Methodology: Genomic DNAs of twelve (12) selected specimens were isolate in good quantities and qualities that were amenable to sharp and distinct PCR amplifications and Sanger’s sequence analyses. The molecular identification was performed using the internal transcribed spacers (ITS) sequences amplified from the samples to run similarity search with reference database sequences in the gene bank. In-vitro regeneration of the samples using tissue culture techniques in the laboratory was carried out following optimization of the surface sterilization, regeneration of pure mycelia and pure spawn formation. Results: Nucleotide sequence data mining of the national centre for biotechnology information (NCBI) with the query sequences using basic local alignment search tool (BLAST) showed that 25% of the samples are not G. lucidum. This implies a significant difference between the morphological and molecular identification at (n-1) degree of freedom with (p= .01). Conclusion: The molecular identification and in-vitro regeneration of local G. lucidum is indeed a necessity for proper and effective utilization of the mushroom because there is a significant potential margin of error in the use of morphological characteristics for G. lucidum identification as observed through this molecular analysis.