Tissue Distribution of Triterpenoids, β-Glucans, Phenolics, and Antioxidant Activity in Ganoderma Fruiting Bodies

Ganoderma mushrooms produce bioactive metabolites with therapeutic potential, yet their tissue-level distribution is not well characterized. This study quantified triterpenoids, β-glucans, and phenolics across six anatomical sections of fruiting bodies from five wild Ganoderma species. Twenty-six triterpenoids were identified. Laccate species showed thicker context tissue enriched in ganoderic and lucidenic acids, resembling the chemotype of G. lucidum. Matte species displayed greater triterpenoid diversity, including elfvingic, applanoxidic, and ganoderenic analogues. Maximum contents reached 3.5% triterpenoids, 34.3% β-glucans, 20.8 mg TE·g−1 (ABTS), 175.2 µmol Fe2+·g−1 (FRAP), and 23.5 mg GAE·g−1 phenolics. Triterpenoids and phenolics were highest in outer cap tissues, while β-glucans predominated in context layers. These patterns reflect functional tissue roles and developmental variation. The tissue distribution of metabolites in wild Ganoderma presented here identifies surface tissues as a major source of triterpenoids and phenolics, and internal tissues as a source of β-glucans. These traits represent selection targets for extraction and selective breeding to produce strains with thicker context tissue and higher triterpenoid and β-glucan yields.