Immunochromatographic strip assay for detection of bioactive Ganoderma triterpenoid, ganoderic acid A in Ganoderma lingzhi

Ganoderic acid A (GAA) is one of the major Ganoderma triterpenes produced by medicinal mushroom belonging to the genus Ganoderma (Ganodermataceae). Due to its interesting pharmacological activities, Ganoderma species have been traditionally used in China for the treatment of various diseases. Herein, we developed a colloidal gold-based immunochromatographic strip assay (ICA) for the rapid detection of GAA using highly specific monoclonal antibody against GM (MAb 12A) conjugated with gold nanoparticles. Using the developed ICA, the detection of GAA can be completed within 15 min after dipping the test strip into an analyte solution with the limit of detection (LOD) for GM of similar to 500 ng/mL In addition, this system makes it possible to perform a semi-quantitative analysis of GM in Ganoderma lingzhi, where high reliability was evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The newly developed ICA can potentially be applied to the standardization of Ganoderma using GM as an index because GM is major triterpenoid present much in the mushroom. (C) 2016 Published by Elsevier B.V.