Application of Ganoderma lucidum in livestock and poultry nutrition

Ganoderma lucidum (Lingzhi or Reishi) is known as a bitter mushroom with remarkable health benefits. The active constituents found in mushrooms include polysaccharides, dietary fibers, oligosaccharides, triterpenoids, peptides and proteins, alcohols and phenols, mineral elements (such as zinc, copper, iodine, selenium, and iron), vitamins, and amino acids. The presence of these essential nutrients, which are nutritional requirements of animals, implies it could be utilized as a feed supplement to improve performance and health of livestock and poultry. This paper investigates the current status of Ganoderma lucidum and its application in livestock and poultry nutrition.

Keywords:

Ganoderma lucidum , health , livestock , mushroom , poultry