Chemical Characterization and Antioxidant Potential of Wild Ganoderma Species from Ghana

The chemical characterization and antioxidant potential of twelve wild strains of Ganoderma sp. from Ghana, nine (LS1-LS9) of which were found growing wild simultaneously on the same dying Delonix regia tree, were evaluated. Parameters evaluated included the nutritional value, composition in sugars, fatty acids, phenolic and other organic compounds and some vitamins and vitamin precursors. Antioxidant potential was evaluated by investigating reducing power, radical scavenging activity and lipid peroxidation inhibition using five in vitro assays. Protein, carbohydrate, fat, ash and energy contents ranged between 15.7-24.5 g/100 g·dw, 73.31-81.90 g/100 g, 0.48-1.40 g/100 g, 0.68-2.12 g/100 g ash and 396.1-402.02 kcal/100 g, respectively. Fatty acids such as linoleic, oleic and palmitic acids were relatively abundant. Free sugars included rhamnose, fructose, mannitol, sucrose and trehalose. Total tocopherols, organic acids and phenolic compounds' content ranged between 741-3191 µg/100 g, 77-1003 mg/100 g and 7.6-489 µg/100 g, respectively. There were variations in the β-glucans, ergosterol and vitamin D₂ contents. The three major minerals in decreasing order were K > P > S. Ganoderma sp. strain AM1 showed the highest antioxidant activity. This study reveals, for the first time, chemical characteristics of Ganoderma spp. which grew simultaneously on the same tree.

[Diplopia as an initial symptom of intracranial tumors]

Among 716 patients with intracranial blastomatous changes 74 showed diplopia as a consequence of involvement of the oculomotorius, trochlearis or (and) the abducens nerve. Diplopia as primary symptom of disease was observed in 20 cases. Patients with isolated initial diplopia were on average 10 years younger than patients where diplopia occurred only in the further course of the tumour. There were no preceding other diseases demonstrable in patients with initial diplopia. Papilloedema did not occur significantly more frequently in them than in patients with diplopia as secondary symptom. In rare cases latency between occurrence of diplopia and further symptoms may be months to two years. For this reason exact neurologic and ophthalmologic follow-up controls, particularly in young patients with isolated persistent diplopia, are required.