Abstract

The mycelial culture of Ganoderma lucidum found in Nigeria was tested on some human pathogenic bacteria
using dual and Weller techniques. The mycelial culture was active against all the test organisms: Escherichia
coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The bacterium, Escherichia
coli showed the highest susceptibility to the mushroom mycelia at 10.6 mm on the first day of incubation which
increased to 15.2 mm on the fourth day using the dual method while Pseudomonas aeruginosa showed the least
susceptibility of 5.7 mm on the fourth day. In the Weller method the growth of the test organisms were
completely antagonized by the mycelia of Ganoderma lucidum as total inhibition was recorded from all the
plates. These could be an indication that Ganoderma lucidum can be used in the treatment of diseases caused by
these organisms as well as preventive measure against them.

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