# Patent

## Title
Method for obtaining solid culture of Zang Zhi (Antodia camphorate)

## Abstract

An incubation method for obtaining solid culture of Zang Zhi (Antrodia camphorata) including the steps of: incubating a stock strain of Zang Zhi in a PP bag for growth of mycelia, followed by an incubation in the air for fruiting the Zang Zhi body.

## Background
This application is a divisional of application Ser. No. 10/023,362 filed on Dec. 14, 2001 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,740,517.


BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Zang Zhi is a kind of fungus. Its academic name is Antrodia camphorata, also known as “Zang ku”, “red Zang Zhi”, “niou Zang Zhi” or “niou Zang ku.” In Taiwan, Zang Zhi only grows on the inner wall of the empty rotting trunk of Cinnamomum kanehirai in the shape of a platy or bell and has a strong cinnamon flavor. People say that Zang Zhi can tranquilize, prevent or treat a cold, promote vital energy circulation, remove blood stasis, promote blood circulation, relieve dyspepsia, detoxify and promote the subsidence of swelling, calm the nerves to reduce stress, alleviate pain, and is the best anticorrosive and detoxicant. It is considered the most expensive wild fungus in the market on Taiwan. The mechanism of anti-tumor cells of Zang Zhi is different from that of Ganoderma sp., which indirectly promotes immunity against tumors. Zang Zhi can directly inhibit or kill cancer cells, and has the capacity to strengthen the heart, adjust immunity, and antagonize the parasympathetic nervous system, and has serous activity. In particular, Zang Zhi can cure a stomachache, bowelache, nausea, diabetes, gout, arthritis, fever, allergy, exorbitant urine proteins, uremia, cirrhosis, hepatomia, flu, etc. Many research institutions have invested human resources and materials in the study of the active constituents of Zang Zhi. Among them, the National Science Council of the Executive Yuan has a special research project to make use of chemical methods, NMR spectrum analysis, and comparative spectrum with known materials to establish the constitutive characteristics of active constituents. Research results of the active constituents show that the water and methanol extracts of Zang Zhi are effective on the inhibition of the growth of Streptococcus aureus and Trichophytone mentagrophytes. Zhankuic acid A, a methanol extract of Zang Zhi has conspicuous inhibition to the lymphoma cells of a p-388 mouse and agglutination of blood platelets. Zhankuic acid B, however, shows little anticholinergic and anti-serotonin effect.
It is indicated in Gau Sheau Jy's masters thesis on the triterpenoid of Zang Zhi that Zang Zhi is a new species of Ganoderma discovered in 1990. The extract of the solid fruiting body is obtained by use of acetone, and then is separated and recrystallized with chromatography LC and PLC. The purity of the extract is identified by TLC scanning and HPLC. The configuration test is done with mass spectrum, infrared spectrum, ultraviolet spectrum, H-NMR, and C-NMR. 3,11-dioxo-8,23-dien-26-oic acid can reduce GPT in the blood of a mouse with the acute hepatitis induced by CCl4.
Most of Zang Zhi grows in the broad-leaf forest areas in Taiwan's East Coast Mountain Range. However, according to the bulletin of the Niou Zang Conservation Notice issued by the Taiwan Forestry Bureau, this mountain range has been listed as a natural resources conservation zone. Since Zang Zhi is a very popular product which most people are willing to purchase in Asia, Zang Zhi growing outside the said zone have been almost completely harvested. In fact, wild Zang Zhi are not available in the local markets.
With an estimated sale of 500 kg Zang Zhi per month in Taiwan, the requirement to provide an incubation method for solid culture of Zang Zhi has become more important in recent years.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The main objective of the subject invention is to provide an incubation method for solid culture of Zang Zhi. The cultured Zang Zhi will have the same pharmaceutical efficacy as the wild one does.
The other objective of this invention is to provide a solid culture of Zang Zhi by use of the inoculums of Zang Zhi spawn preserved in the Food Industry Research and Development Institute (Taiwan), coded CCRC 35398, to incubate the solid culture in accordance with the incubation method.
Another objective of the invention is to provide the processed products of the solid cultured Zang Zhi.
Another objective of the invention is to provide a solid cultured Zang Zhi useful as active constituents.



BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS
FIGS. 1A–1C illustrate comparative analysis of the HPLC of constituents of a Zang Zhi, including (A) the fruiting body of cultured Zang Zhi according to the invention, (B) the liquid culture of Zang Zhi and (C) the fruiting body of wild Zang Zhi.
FIG. 2 illustrates the use of ferrous ions to stimulate the homogenization of mouse brain to cause the free radical peroxidative reaction of lipid, which will result in increasing of the TBARS (peroxidative constituents of lipid). Comparing the triple fold with the eight fold of concentrated extract of Zang Zhi fruiting body cultured according to the invention, we note that the increase inhibition of the peroxidative reaction will vary with the increased of the concentration, that is shown by the percentage of inhibition of per oxidative reaction (n=3).
FIG. 3 shows the effect of different concentrations of extract of Zang Zhi on the active change of GTP for measurement of liver function. # represents the statistical difference between the normal group and the injury group (P<0.01); *represents the statistical difference between the feed group and the injury group (P<0.01). Value is represented by average ± standard error.
FIG. 4 shows the effect of different concentrations of Zang Zhi extract on the active change of GOT for the biochemical measurement of liver function. # represents the statistical difference between a normal group and an injury group (P<0.01); * represents the statistical difference between the feed group and the injury group (P<0.01). Value is represented by average ± standard error.
FIG. 5 shows the effect of an extract of Zang Zhi powder on the growth of bowel cancer cell (COLO 320 HSR).



DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
This invention provides a method for the solid culture of Zang Zhi, in order to produce the Zang Zhi fruiting body with the constituents and vitality of wild Zang Zhis. The invention's method for the solid culture of Zang Zhi is to culture the spawn of Zang Zhi through “Bag Log” cultivation, and then to produce the fruiting body of Zang Zhi in the air.
Before the phase of mycelium culture, it is usual to greatly multiply the spawn for “Bag Log” cultivation, including the following three steps: (1) taking a piece of medium agar containing hyphae preserved in liquid nitrogen, and transfer it into a fresh medium to culture under constant temperature until the exuberant growth of mycelium appears; (2) inoculating the spawn into the “Bag Log” containing cellulolytic substance (for example kernel or spelk); (3) removing the supra old hyphae until the hyphae overgrows in the “Bag Log”; and (4) then inoculating the multiplied spawn into “Bag Log”.
Before the phase of mycelium culture, one also can greatly multiply spawn with the liquid culture fermentation, and then inoculate them into “Bag Log”. The formulation of liquid culture fermentation is 1–3% of fructose, 0.01–0.1% of magnesium sulfate, 0.1–1% of yeast extract, and 0.05–0.5% of potassium phosphate. The best formulation of liquid culture fermentation followed was 2% of fructose, 0.05% of magnesium sulfate, 0.5% of yeast extract, and 0.1% of potassium phosphate. (The percentages of the components described in this specification are “weight percentage,” except that the percentages described for the gaseous components are “volume percentages.”)
After culturing the slide tube, one may inoculate the multiplied spawn into a 5 liter liquid culture for fermentation under 24–26° C., 240 rpm oscillation for 14 days, and then 90 rpm oscillation for 14 days, and then inoculate them into a 20 liter liquid fermentation, stirring culture for 14 days.
Here, the so-called “Bag Log” is the plastic bag made from 10–70% of cellulolytic material of stem, stalk, fruit, or spelk of any mushroom or plant (especially, the stems, stalks, and fruits of grass plants or even cellulolytic spelk are better), 10–30% of starch resource (especially, potato is better), and 5–15% of millet (rice bran is better), 1–10% of saccharides (glucose is better), 0.5–2% of phosphate (potassium phosphate is better), and 0.1–1% of sulfate salt (magnesium sulfate is better). Relative humidity is maintained at 60–90%, better at 80%. The pH value of the culture medium is adjusted to be neutral.
The phase of mycelium culture indicated in this text means a period of sixty days after the spawn is inoculated into “Bag Log”. Mycelium will grow at a temperature from 5° to 32° C.; in particular, 28° C. is the best temperature for the growth of mycelium. “Bag Log” cultivation is under way at a relative humidity of about 60–80%, and better at about 80%. As to the condition of air, 0.1–1% of carbon dioxide is better for the culture.
After the phase of mycelium culture, the phase of the culture of the fruiting body is next. That is to say 61–90 days after the date of the inoculation of the spawn, the plastic bag of “Bag Log” is to be removed to let the sawdust medium be completely exposed to the air. During the phase of the culture of the fruiting body, the difference between day and night temperature has to be under strict control. Day temperature is generally maintained between 20° and 30° C., especially, better at 25±1° C.; night temperature is better maintained at 11±1° C.; the difference between day and night temperature is better maintained at 15° C. The relative humidity at the phase of fruiting body culture is controlled between 90 and 95%. In addition, the fruiting body has to be cultured in the moving air, and the carbon dioxide is less than 1%. Generally, solid culture material will be collected after 90–120 days.
The strain CCRC35398 spawn used in this invention can be obtained from the Food Industry Research and Development Institute, Taiwan. According to the solid culture method of this invention, a solid culture substance was obtained. The solid culture substance is conoid, about 10–30 cm in diameter, 15–30 cm in height, and 0.2–0.6 kg in weight.
To use the solid culture method described above, one can get the solid Zang Zhi. The solid Zang Zhi can be produced by any of the processing methods known to those skilled in the art, for example, water or alcohol can be used to extract the active constituents, and then known concentration methods such as vacuum concentration or freeze concentration can be used to produce the concentrated product.
One can use the dehydrated method to do the dehydration, or by a spray-dry or lyophilization method. However, the lyophilization method is the best one to dehydrate the solid substance, and during dehydration the solid substance will not change its characteristic by the effect of oxygen.
The microscopic particles produced by the spray-dry or other dehydration method can be agglomerated to increase their diameters. These products are poremeric particles with good wettability.
The comparative HPLC spectrum of the invention's solid culture Zang Zhi, known liquid cultured Zang Zhi, and wild Zang Zhi is shown in FIGS. 1A–C. By analysis of HPLC, the constituents of the fruiting body obtained through the invention's culture method are similar to those of the wild Zang Zhi and the invention's Zang Zhi has the activities and functions similar to the wild Zang Zhi's. These activities and functions include tranquilization, prevention from or treatment of a cold, promoting vital energy circulation, removing blood stasis, promoting blood circulation, relieving dyspepsia, detoxifying and promoting the subsidence of swelling, calming the nerves to reduce stress, alleviating pain, inhibiting bacteria and virus and cancer cells, strengthening the heart, adjusting immunity, and antagonizing the parasympathetic nervous system and serous activity. Zang Zhi can cure a stomachache and bowel ache, nausea, diabetes, gout, arthritis, infection, allergy, exorbitant urine proteins, uremia, cirrhosis, hepatomia, flu and so on. Zang Zhi can regenerate skin and act as human skin or callus material, or as adhesive for bedsore or traumatic skin.
Furthermore, the invention's solid cultured substance possesses the abilities to antagonize the free radicals and peroxidation of lipids, and functions to protect the liver and inhibit cancer cells. The invention's solid cultured substance can be taken as health food to prolong life, and be further developed into new medicines.
The following working examples will further explain this invention, but not limit this invention. Any application or modification of this invention made by persons skilled in these techniques will fall in the scope of this invention.
WORKING EXAMPLES
The strain CCRC35398 spawn obtained from the Food Industry Research and Development Institute were grown by ferment liquid culture, and then inoculated into the “Bag Log”. The fermented liquid culture contains 2% of fructose, 0.05% of magnesium sulfate, 0.5% of yeast extract, and 0.1% of potassium phosphate. “Bag Log” cultivation is to culture mycelium. “Bag Log” is composed of 65% of the stems, stalks, fruits of grass plants or cellulolytic spelk, 20% of potato, 10% of rice bran, 3.5% of glucose, 1% of potassium phosphate, and 0.5% of magnesium sulfate. Adjust the relative humidity to 80% and pH to 7. Relative humidity was maintained at 60–90%, better at 80%, and the pH of the culture medium was adjusted to being neutral.
The period of mycelium culture is 60 days after the spawn was inoculated into “Bag Log”. Mycelium will grow at a temperature between 5° and 32° C.; 28° C. is the optimal temperature for the growth of mycelium. “Bag Log” humidity is at 80%, and air condition is 0.2–1% of carbon dioxide.
After the phase of the mycelium culture, the phase of the culture of the fruiting body is on, that is to say 61–90 days after the date of inoculation of the spawn, the plastic bag of “Bag Log” is to be removed, to let the sawdust medium be completely exposed in the air. During the phase of the culture of the fruiting body, the difference between day and night temperature has to be under strict control. Day temperature is generally maintained between 20° and 30° C.; night temperature is better maintained at 11±1° C.; the difference between day and night temperature is better maintained at 15° EC. The relative humidity of the phase of the fruiting body culture is controlled between 90 and 95%. In addition, the fruiting body has to be cultured in the moving air, and the carbon dioxide is less than 1%.
In 90–120 days, when the conoid fruiting body grows up to 15 cm in diameter and 25 cm in height, the solid-cultured substance will be collected, and then the substance is about 0.4 kg in weight. The HPLC spectrum of major active elements—triterpenoid—is shown in FIG. 1(1), and the measurements are shown in the following Table 1.







TABLE 1







Table 1, Data of HPLC analysis of the invention's Zang Zhi fruiting body

















retention
area

relative


conc

ingredient


No.
time
(uv * sec)
area %
height
height %
conc
unit
basline
name



















1
2.060
27958870
9.3018
1000.279
6.5362
0.0000

PV



2
2.547
6320387
2.1028
999.303
6.5299
0.0000

VV


3
2.663
6333234
2.1070
999.158
6.5289
0.0000

VV


4
2.823
13521140
4.4986
998.886
6.5271
0.0000

VV


5
3.117
3933511
1.3087
328.263
2.1450
0.0000

VV


6
3.413
4614312
1.5352
303.141
1.9808
0.0000

VV


7
3.673
2519874
0.6364
162.126
1.1901
0.0000

VV


8
3.973
2084553
0.6935
144.477
0.9441
0.0000

VV


9
4.367
4265639
1.4192
149.458
0.9766
0.0000

VV


10
5.150
7601131
2.5289
460.320
3.0079
0.0000

VV


11
5.773
1671478
0.5561
71.212
0.4657
0.0000

VB


12
6.043
441685
0.1469
54.184
0.3541
0.0000

VV


13
6.360
1264481
0.4207
62.749
0.4100
0.0000

VV


14
6.597
1359149
0.4522
58.680
0.3834
0.0000

VV


15
7.263
1946283
0.6475
56.407
0.3686
0.0000

VV


16
7.660
517391
0.1721
43.081
0.2815
0.0000

VV


17
8.167
5862269
1.9504
317.837
2.0769
0.0000

VV


18
8.983
932610
0.3103
29.915
0.1955
0.0000

VV


19
9.990
1253931
0.4172
34.691
0.2267
0.0000

VV


20
10.343
538013
0.1790
22.699
0.1496
0.0000

VV


21
10.623
164318
0.0547
12.337
0.0806
0.0000

VV


22
11.327
1233415
0.4104
29.716
0.1942
0.0000

VV


23
12.193
628302
0.2090
19.256
0.1258
0.0000

VV


24
12.990
1259055
0.4189
37.378
0.2442
0.0000

VP


25
14.810
2962581
0.9923
80.403
0.5254
0.0000

PP


26
17.313
2521967
0.8390
68.342
0.4466
0.0000

PV


27
18.113
627346
0.2087
19.934
0.1303
0.0000

VV


28
18.990
117339
0.0390
4.690
0.0306
0.0000

VV


29
19.867
663514
0.2207
20.198
0.1320
0.0000

VV


30
20.867
2932057
0.9755
52.760
0.3448
0.0000

VV


31
22.323
252149
0.0839
9.636
0.0630
0.0000

VV


32
23.080
3131662
1.0419
79.476
0.5193
0.0000

VV


33
23.960
1130632
0.3762
31.023
0.2027
0.0000

VV


34
25.857
4135840
1.3760
78.025
0.5098
0.0000

VV


35
26.910
1070268
0.3561
22.420
0.1465
0.0000

VP


36
28.940
2127664
0.7079
44.217
0.2889
0.0000

PV


37
30.503
15997700
5.3224
304.306
1.9685
0.0000

VP


38
33.793
5256445
1.7488
92.365
0.6036
0.0000

PV


39
35.573
462920
0.1540
6.405
0.0549
0.0000

VV


40
37.360
4416830
1.4695
79.089
0.5168
0.0000

VP


41
39.193
261669
0.0871
5.522
0.0361
0.0000

PV


42
41.267
4411946
1.4678
73.326
0.4791
0.0000

VV


43
42.667
2821209
0.9386
50.936
0.3328
0.0000

VV


44
44.323
36608
0.0122
1.071
0.0070
0.0000

VP


45
46.630
10087950
3.3562
134.950
0.6818
0.0000

PP


46
50.090
333401
0.1109
4.502
0.0294
0.0000

PV


47
52.383
4896649
1.6291
60.376
0.3845
0.0000

PP


48
55.260
124357
0.0414
2.047
0.0134
0.0000

PV


49
56.593
4986938
1.6591
340.488
2.2249
0.0000

VV


50
56.953
7314754
2.4336
625.513
4.0874
0.0000

VV


51
57.290
4586732
1.5260
463.196
3.0267
0.0000

VV


52
57.800
3699586
1.2308
189.756
1.2399
0.0000

VV


53
58.087
1056124
0.3316
116.120
0.7716
0.0000

VV


54
58.477
2468879
0.8214
134.218
0.8770
0.0000

VV


55
56.690
1982234
0.6595
157.526
1.0293
0.0000

VV


56
58.927
1445816
0.4810
124.637
0.8157
0.0000

VV


57
59.210
3138696
1.0442
171.327
1.1195
0.0000

VV


58
59.520
1098725
0.3655
69.794
0.5867
0.0000

VV


59
59.840
1481909
0.4930
102.506
0.6698
0.0000

VV


60
60.093
3406697
1.1334
202.433
1.3228
0.0000

VV


61
60.483
1645084
0.5473
104.449
0.6825
0.0000

VV


62
60.980
10587770
3.5225
757.281
4.9484
0.0000

VV


63
61.403
1626563
0.5412
117.086
0.7651
0.0000

VV


64
61.700
856049
0.2848
79.162
0.5173
0.0000

VV


65
61.907
1498212
0.4984
88.354
0.5773
0.0000

VV


66
62.297
7358936
1.4483
538.464
3.5185
0.0000

VV


67
62.713
1007688
0.3353
74.731
0.5014
0.0000

VV


68
82.980
953127
0.3171
76.873
0.5023
0.0000

VV


69
62.187
1992004
0.6627
69.898
0.4567
0.0000

VV


70
63.603
776093
0.2582
55.283
0.3612
0.0000

VV


71
64.203
6164886
2.0510
515.260
3.3668
0.0000

VV


72
64.537
761873
0.2535
72.303
0.4725
0.0000

VV


73
64.773
2147592
0.7145
124.955
0.6165
0.0000

VV


74
65.287
2333203
0.7762
110.636
0.7229
0.0000

VV


75
65.987
1814540
0.6037
53.283
0.3482
0.0000

VV


76
66.627
1221936
0.4065
56.684
0.3704
0.0000

VV


77
67.103
1666644
0.5545
61.135
0.5302
0.0000

VV


78
67.617
1226534
0.4081
46.888
0.3064
0.0000

VV


79
66.340
3797130
1.2633
106.221
0.7072
0.0000

VV


80
66.910
3980780
1.3244
176.942
1.1562
0.0000

VV


81
69.637
2559917
0.8517
76.359
0.4990
0.0000

VV


82
70.970
680358
0.2264
16.357
0.1069
0.0000

VV


83
71.683
264668
0.0881
12.546
0.0820
0.0000

VV


84
72.387
686349
0.2283
14.902
0.0974
0.0000

VV


85
73.070
513554
0.1709
13.848
0.0905
0.0000

VV


86
73.730
419796
0.1397
9.953
0.0650
0.0000

VV


87
74.950
357733
0.1190
12.698
0.0830
0.0000

VV


88
75.373
465804
0.1550
15.474
0.1011
0.0000

VV


89
76.253
356155
0.1185
10.162
0.0664
0.0000

VV


90
77.137
133340
0.0444
4.645
0.0304
0.0000

VV


91
77.850
272953
0.0905
11.805
0.0771
0.0000

VV


92
78.420
752946
0.2505
30.824
0.2014
0.0000

VV


93
78.690
869866
0.2694
31.809
0.2079
0.0000

VV


94
79.653
66206
0.0220
2.235
0.0146
0.0000

VP


95
80.730
79648
0.0265
2.862
0.0187
0.0000

PP


96
81.753
27502
0.0091
1.070
0.0070
0.0000

PP


97
83.147
186611
0.0621
4.143
0.0271
0.0000

PV


98
83.923
293714
0.0977
9.081
0.0593
0.0000

VV


99
84.520
361025
0.1201
9.061
0.0592
0.0000

VV


100
85.820
820423
0.2730
29.144
0.1804
0.0000

VV


101
86.260
1531752
0.5096
35.708
0.2333
0.0000

VV


102
87.803
1945022
0.6471
51.978
0.3396
0.0000

VV


103
89.500
271109
0.0902
7.353
0.0480
0.0000

VP


104
90.883
26832
0.0089
0.533
0.0035
0.0000

PP


105
92.080
55385
0.0184
1.398
0.0091
0.0000

PP


106
96.443
3758662
1.2505
52.867
0.3455
0.0000

PP


107
100.237
94066
0.0323
1.137
0.0074
0.0000

PP


108
106.650
1435702
0.4777
41.107
0.2686
0.0000

PV


109
107.300
1158655
0.3855
55.895
0.3652
0.0000

VV


110
107.720
1487062
0.4947
72.435
0.4668
0.0000

VV


111
108.190
709049
0.2359
37.254
0.2434
0.0000

VV


112
108.493
818254
0.2722
38.627
0.2524
0.0000

VV


113
109.013
631416
0.2101
35.016
0.2288
0.0000

VV


114
109.507
1010362
0.3361
33.653
0.2199
0.0000

VV


115
109.900
446664
0.1486
27.863
0.1821
0.0000

VV


116
110.160
598899
0.1993
33.360
0.2180
0.0000

VV


117
110.493
840683
0.2797
57.202
0.3738
0.0000

VV


118
111.023
2135668
0.7105
103.717
0.6777
0.0000

VV


119
111.450
547756
0.1822
42.196
0.2757
0.0000

VV


120
111.833
1597280
0.5314
56.890
0.3717
0.0000

VV


121
112.473
967994
0.3220
55.981
0.3658
0.0000

VV


122
112.607
679050
0.2259
59.614
0.3895
0.0000

VV


123
112.820
536941
0.1786
49.913
0.3261
0.0000

VV


124
113.067
987108
0.3284
35.926
0.2348
0.0000

VV


125
113.807
1383823
0.4604
34.665
0.2265
0.0000

VV


126
114.563
1002529
0.3333
36.357
0.2376
0.0000

VV


127
114.970
520199
0.1731
24.136
0.1577
0.0000

VV


128
115.540
1143580
0.3805
28.119
0.1837
0.0000

VV


129
116.577
338258
0.1125
11.209
0.0732
0.0000

VV


130
117.017
176187
0.0586
8.880
0.0580
0.0000

VV


131
117.400
169393
0.0564
8.586
0.0561
0.0000

VV


132
118.133
518740
0.1726
11.014
0.0720
0.0000

VV


133
118.763
134439
0.0447
7.091
0.0463
0.0000

VV


134
119.237
368278
0.1225
10.127
0.0662
0.0000

VP


135
121.140
64584
0.0215
2.560
0.0167
0.0000

PV


136
121.620
185059
0.0616
6.282
0.0410
0.0000

VV


137
122.620
30314
0.0101
1.935
0.0126
0.0000

VV


138
123.090
254238
0.0846
6.468
0.0553
0.0000

VV


139
124.110
141072
0.0469
6.206
0.0406
0.0000

VP


140
125.877
378418
0.1259
7.976
0.0521
0.0000

PP


141
127.977
27554
0.0092
1.016
0.0066
0.0000

PP


142
129.813
187915
0.0625
9.937
0.0649
0.0000

PP



total
300574826

15303.60

0.0000









The differences between the invention's Zang Zhi fruiting body, other cultural methods and liquid cultural method were compared by the analysis of HPLC. The HPLC spectra—are shown in FIG. 1(2)–(3); and the measurements are shown in Table 2 and Table 3. These spectra show that the invention's Zang Zhi fruiting body and wild Zang Zhi have the same shape of peak, and also show that the invention's cultured Zang Zhi fruiting body and that of wild Zang Zhi have the same activities and functions.







TABLE 2







Table 2. HPLC spectrum figure of liquid cultured Zang Zhi

















retention
area

relative


conc

ingredient


No.
time
(uv * sec)
area %
height
height %
conc
unit
basline
name



















1
1.620
262998
1.2184
38.745
2.2045
0.0000

PV



2
1.357
8294342
38.4242
660.685
37.5912
0.0000

VV


3
2.520
5417476
25.0969
726.398
41.3301
0.0000

VV


4
2.820
1692534
7.8413
99.406
5.6559
0.0000

VV


5
3.790
731157
3.3871
23.209
1.3205
0.0000

VB


6
4.123
271974
1.2599
11.713
0.6664
0.0000

BV


7
4.623
154068
0.7137
7.810
0.4444
0.0000

VV


8
5.023
154230
0.7145
4.580
0.2606
0.0000

VV


9
5.897
29822
0.1382
1.652
0.0940
0.0000

VP


10
7.360
150572
0.6975
5.210
0.2964
0.0000

PP


11
9.210
123419
0.5717
3.914
0.2227
0.0000

PP


12
11.930
130807
0.6060
3.563
0.2027
0.0000

PV


13
12.740
37712
0.1747
1.232
0.0701
0.0000

VP


14
15.103
504463
2.3370
11.048
0.6286
0.0000

PP


15
16.890
143477
0.6647
3.512
0.1998
0.0000

PP


16
19.350
56860
0.2634
1.827
0.1039
0.0000

PP


17
23.510
806878
3.7379
11.274
0.6415
0.0000

PP


18
27.157
92042
0.4264
1.224
0.0696
0.0000

PP


19
30.633
144285
0.6684
2.243
0.1276
0.0000

PP


20
33.747
239568
1.3414
3.947
0.2245
0.0000

PP


21
38.727
250488
1.1604
3.231
0.1839
0.0000

PP


22
41.340
61644
0.2956
0.771
0.0438
0.0000

PP


23
43.727
29928
0.1386
0.470
0.0267
0.0000

PP


24
57.047
112074
0.5192
9.096
0.5175
0.0000

PV


25
57.433
175711
0.8140
10.275
0.5846
0.0000

VV


26
57.907
107598
0.4985
4.508
0.2565
0.0000

VV


27
58.137
25810
0.1196
2.279
0.1296
0.0000

VP


28
61.380
23245
0.1077
2.024
0.1152
0.0000

PV


29
62.743
196612
0.9108
21.767
1.2385
0.0000

VV


30
64.223
30411
0.1409
2.094
0.1192
0.0000

PV


31
64.717
441196
2.0439
41.620
2.3681
0.0000

VV


32
64.997
48524
0.2248
4.870
0.2771
0.0000

VV


33
65.420
40354
0.1869
3.529
0.2008
0.0000

VV


34
65.833
67766
0.3139
3.823
0.2175
0.0000

VP


35
66.950
21298
0.0987
1.691
0.0962
0.0000

PP


36
67.773
32193
0.1491
1.708
0.0972
0.0000

PP


37
79.013
29414
0.1363
0.920
0.0523
0.0000

PP


38
97.297
21884
0.1014
0.456
0.0260
0.0000

PP


39
100.053
39474
0.1782
0.738
0.0420
0.0000

PP


40
104.457
126686
0.5869
2.358
0.1342
0.0000

PP


41
107.010
57252
0.2652
2.113
0.1202
0.0000

PP


42
111.397
35854
0.1661
4.236
0.2410
0.0000

VV


43
111.813
23337
0.1313
2.512
0.1429
0.0000

VP


44
113.790
25408
0.1177
1.810
0.1030
0.0000

VP


45
115.883
43858
0.2032
3.808
0.2167
0.0000

PV


46
119.590
25451
0.1179
1.656
0.0942
0.0000

PP



total
21586254

1757.553

0.0000
















TABLE 3







Table 3. HPLC spectrum figure of wild Zang Zhi

















retention
area

relative


conc

ingredient


No.
time
(uv * sec)
area %
height
height %
conc
unit
basline
name



















1
1.550
1332009
0.5787
162.045
1.1488
0.0000

PV



2
1.913
12708000
5.5210
797.430
5.6535
0.0000

VV


3
2.607
7990504
3.4715
374.149
2.6526
0.0000

VV


4
2.997
3336181
1.4494
151.464
1.0738
0.0000

VV


5
3.480
827969
0.3597
90.536
0.6419
0.0000

VV


6
3.687
2100942
0.9127
89.231
0.6326
0.0000

VV


7
4.110
1565375
0.7235
80.468
0.5705
0.0000

VV


8
4.590
986857
0.4287
61.543
0.4363
0.0000

VV


9
4.857
1300649
0.5651
59.445
0.4214
0.0000

VV


10
5.377
620409
0.2695
37.086
0.2529
0.0000

VV


11
5.623
712514
0.3095
37.666
0.2670
0.0000

VV


12
6.020
517412
0.2682
32.787
0.2324
0.0000

VV


13
6.347
380678
0.1654
24.939
0.1768
0.0000

VV


14
6.660
622333
0.2704
24.053
0.1705
0.0000

VV


15
7.060
557302
0.2421
18.364
0.1302
0.0000

VV


16
7.710
585765
0.2545
27.106
0.1922
0.0000

VV


17
8.353
276221
0.1200
10.957
0.0777
0.0000

VV


18
8.867
379887
0.1650
19.904
0.1411
0.0000

VV


19
9.327
316284
0.1374
21.157
0.1500
0.0000

VV


20
9.623
72943
0.0315
4.914
0.0348
0.0000

VV


21
10.593
120581
0.0524
6.584
0.0457
0.0000

PP


22
11.260
57846
0.0251
2.283
0.0162
0.0000

PV


23
11.747
32476
0.0141
2.199
0.0156
0.0000

VV


24
12.263
209326
0.0909
11.437
0.0811
0.0000

VV


25
12.837
131315
0.0570
6.603
0.0468
0.0000

VV


26
13.733
270732
0.1176
7.438
0.0527
0.0000

VP


27
15.300
156380
0.0679
6.542
0.0464
0.0000

PP


28
17.513
346774
0.1507
10.369
0.0735
0.0000

PV


29
18.270
1011777
0.4396
25.904
0.1837
0.0000

VV


30
19.863
298337
0.1296
7.175
0.0509
0.0000

VP


31
21.567
237547
0.1032
6.715
0.0476
0.0000

VV


32
22.657
261555
0.1136
7.129
0.0505
0.0000

VV


33
23.960
419821
0.1824
8.165
0.0579
0.0000

VP


34
26.780
1014237
0.4405
20.361
0.1444
0.0000

PP


35
29.320
4482109
1.9472
103.960
0.7370
0.0000

PP


36
32.017
6999710
3.0410
156.204
1.1074
0.0000

PV


37
33.343
399151
0.1734
8.733
0.0619
0.0000

VP


38
35.053
97125
0.0422
2.428
0.0172
0.0000

PV


39
37.007
3062612
1.3305
45.150
0.3272
0.0000

VP


40
39.587
832484
0.3617
15.925
0.1129
0.0000

PV


41
40.897
2411303
1.0476
30.354
0.2152
0.0000

VP


42
43.503
94412
0.0410
2.102
0.0149
0.0000

PP


43
46.093
950329
0.4129
12.948
0.0918
0.0000

PP


44
47.820
29686
0.0129
0.697
0.0049
0.0000

PP


45
51.273
22016
0.0096
0.505
0.0036
0.0000

PP


46
53.253
391511
0.1701
6.542
0.0464
0.0000

PP


47
55.177
418679
0.1819
6.082
0.0431
0.0000

PP


48
57.243
3988680
1.7329
240.883
1.7078
0.0000

PV


49
57.500
4155318
1.8053
345.611
2.4503
0.0000

VV


50
57.787
3545656
1.5404
257.829
1.8279
0.0000

VV


51
58.010
1206951
0.5244
175.620
1.2451
0.0000

VV


52
58.257
2986313
1.2974
222.955
1.5807
0.0000

VV


53
58.400
5093407
2.2128
431.601
3.0599
0.0000

VV


54
58.673
2540255
1.1036
286.541
2.0315
0.0000

VV


55
58.943
5661787
2.4597
471.025
3.3394
0.0000

VV


56
59.233
2400643
1.0430
197.347
1.3991
0.0000

VV


57
59.543
3531683
1.5343
200.445
1.4211
0.0000

VV


58
59.850
2228945
0.9684
164.165
1.1639
0.0000

VV


59
60.060
2828869
1.2290
335.781
2.3806
0.0000

VV


60
60.410
17547630
7.6235
994.818
7.0529
0.0000

VV


61
60.743
13833800
6.0101
994.628
7.0516
0.0000

VV


62
60.920
9930270
4.3142
941.167
6.6726
0.0000

VV


63
61.343
3601150
1.5645
265.761
1.8842
0.0000

VV


64
61.723
6048523
2.6278
525.238
3.7238
0.0000

VV


65
62.127
2249845
0.9774
160.527
1.1381
0.0000

VV


66
62.357
2849680
1.2380
152.131
1.0786
0.0000

VV


67
63.207
11335680
4.9248
886.220
6.2830
0.0000

VV


68
63.460
3758158
1.6227
214.751
1.5225
0.0000

VV


69
64.087
17403430
7.5609
992.676
7.0377
0.0000

VV


70
64.807
6379895
2.7717
332.965
2.3606
0.0000

VV


71
65.487
1105522
0.4803
48.756
0.3457
0.0000

VV


72
66.060
1061718
0.4613
41.562
0.2947
0.0000

VV


73
66.490
1903467
0.8270
65.469
0.4642
0.0000

VV


74
67.563
1016818
0.4418
30.915
0.2192
0.0000

VV


75
68.387
1511594
0.6567
37.104
0.2631
0.0000

VV


76
69.390
10743430
4.6675
526.207
3.7306
0.0000

VV


77
70.583
358833
0.1559
13.087
0.0928
0.0000

VV


78
71.257
2732845
1.1873
127.212
0.9019
0.0000

VV


79
72.317
237862
0.1033
7.948
0.0553
0.0000

VV


80
72.730
245290
0.1066
6.784
0.0481
0.0000

VV


81
73.783
87523
0.0380
3.200
0.0227
0.0000

VV


82
74.250
127009
0.0552
4.136
0.0293
0.0000

VV


83
74.890
86115
0.0374
2.980
0.0211
0.0000

VP


84
75.973
29738
0.0125
1.165
0.0083
0.0000

PP


85
77.503
92275
0.0401
1.898
0.0135
0.0000

PP


86
80.060
508744
0.2210
11.408
0.0809
0.0000

PP


87
82.200
28158
0.0122
0.871
0.0062
0.0000

PP


88
84.293
79909
0.0347
1.534
0.0109
0.0000

PP


89
87.500
1092447
0.4746
24.011
0.1702
0.0000

PV


90
87.530
300046
0.1304
24.553
0.1741
0.0000

VV


91
87.893
382295
0.1661
25.603
0.1815
0.0000

VV


92
88.107
224523
0.0975
21.631
0.1534
0.0000

VV


93
88.397
717983
0.3119
37.094
0.2630
0.0000

VV


94
89.010
518852
0.2254
22.242
0.1577
0.0000

VV


95
89.237
307090
0.1334
21.551
0.1528
0.0000

VV


96
89.473
302635
0.1315
19.158
0.1358
0.0000

VV


97
90.007
4050733
1.7598
326.533
2.3150
0.0000

VV


98
91.020
376589
0.1636
16.743
0.1187
0.0000

VV


99
91.427
152969
0.0665
11.423
0.0810
0.0000

VV


100
91.543
205346
0.0892
11.033
0.0782
0.0000

VV


101
92.013
142333
0.0618
11.613
0.0823
0.0000

VV


102
92.157
268901
0.1168
11.479
0.0814
0.0000

VV


103
92.633
124915
0.0543
8.073
0.0572
0.0000

VV


104
93.083
908307
0.3946
88.376
0.6266
0.0000

VV


105
93.590
210904
0.0916
15.423
0.1093
0.0000

VV


106
94.063
323059
0.1404
22.173
0.1572
0.0000

VV


107
94.547
63428
0.0275
3.102
0.0220
0.0000

VV


108
95.123
29222
0.0127
2.059
0.0146
0.0000

VP


109
95.963
45135
0.0196
2.967
0.0210
0.0000

VP


110
98.950
58309
0.0253
3.644
0.0258
0.0000

VP


111
100.273
20525
0.0089
0.713
0.0051
0.0000

PP


112
105.563
38299
0.0166
1.804
0.0128
0.0000

PP


113
112.263
55710
0.0242
1.468
0.0104
0.0000

PP


114
126.417
44605
0.0194
0.861
0.0061
0.0000

PP



total
230177556

14105.03

0.0000









The following Analysis Examination and Pharmacology Examination demonstrate that according to the elements and functions of the concentrated product of the invention's cultured Zang Zhi fruiting body, its major elements include triterpenoid compounds, water-soluble polysaccharides and chitin.
Water Soluble Polysaccharides
Examination by the Food Analysis Center in Japan revealed that solid Zang Zhi fruiting body obtained by the invention's culture method contains a high volume of water soluble polysaccharides; each 100 g fruiting body having 1.2 to 6.5 g of water soluble polysaccharides.
Content of Heavy Metals
Atomic Spectrum Analysis made by the Mircoanalysis Laboratory of Atomic Science Department of National Ching Hwa University reveals the invention's solid-cultured Zang Zhi has a content of heavy metals as follows:

















Na: 48.7 ppm
Mn: 10.9 ppm
Cd: ND



Mg: 767 ppm
Fe: 100 ppm
Cr: ND



Al: 41.6 ppm
Zn: 16.4 ppm



Ca: 605 ppm
As: ND



K: 0.560%
Hg: ND










Total Antioxidant Activity

A comparison among one gram of the concentrated powder of the invention's solid Zang Zhi substance, the powder of wild Zang Zhi, and the concentrated powder of Ganderma sp. reveals their equivalent of the number of micrograms of Vitamin C as follows:












Content of one gram powder/



equivalent to the number of


Source
micrograms of Vitamin C







Powder of wild Zang Zhi
 633 ug ascorbic acid/g


Concentrated Powder of Ganderma sp.
 854 ug ascorbic acid/g


Concentrated Powder of the invention's
1180 ug ascorbic acid/g


solid Zang Zhi substance









The result shows that the total antioxidant activity of the invention's solid Zang Zhi substance is far higher than that of the fruiting body of wild Zang Zhi and that of Ganderma sp.
Toxicity Test
According to the experiment of the acute oral toxicity test LD50, the tested mice were each fed with 2,000 mg/kg of the solid powder of the invention's Zang Zhi, while the other mice were fed with the specially distilled water as control. The results show that the tested mice neither act abnormally nor die. Hence, the volume of the acute oral toxicity test LD50 is higher than 2000 mg/kg.
Ames Test
Under the Ames test, the invention's Zang Zhi is examined by the plate mixed assay. Five tested bacterial isolates are Salmonella tiyphimurium TA97, TA98, TA100, TA102 and TA1535. Each isolate is under five concentrations analysis of 312.5, 625, 1250, 2500 and 5000 ug/plate, respectively. Coincidentally, a negative control group and a positive control group specific to bacterial isolate are included, and each group is triplicate. Test results show that negative control group falls in the acceptable range, and positive control group reflects an increase of mutant bacterial colonies. Whether or not the bacterial isolates are treated under big mouse liver enzyme metabolic system (S9), all tested concentrates do not show an obvious increase of colonies of Ames tested isolates, as shown in table 4.







TABLE 4







Salmonella typhimurium Ames Test










Test Target
Test examples
Feed dosage × Period
Test result





Salmonella
Five mutant
tested concentration
Whether under big


typhimurium
isolates required
(ug/plate)
mouse liver enzyme



Histidine of
312.5, 625, 1250, 2500 and
metabolic system (S9)



TA97, TA98,
5000 plate mixed assay for
or not, all tested



TA100, TA102
triplicate. The assay was
concentrations show



and TA1535
under constant temperature
no significant increase




37 ± 1° C. for 48–72 hours,
of Ames test mutant




and the mutant colonies calculated.
colonies.





Test result is negative.









Anti-Lipid Peroxidation Ability Test

Anti-lipid peroxidation ability and anti free radical ability of the solid cultured Zang Zhi solid concentrate was tested, by the lipid peroxidation in mouse brain homogenization solution. Mouse brain homogenization solution exposed to an oxidative stress was stimulated by Fe2+ introduction and induced the kinetics of generation of lipid-derived free radical. FIG. 2 shows that while increasing the concentration of triple and 8 fold the invention's Zang Zhi solid substance concentrate, it has a trend to inhibit lipid peroxidation and reduce the generation of free radical.
Protection of Liver Function Experiment
An experimental model using carbon tetrachloride to cause slow damage to the liver of a mouse to discover the effect of different concentrates of Zang Zhi on the slow damage to a mouse liver was established. Twenty-four mice (ICR strain) are divided into 4 groups as shown in Table 5.







TABLE 5







Zang Zhi Test Dosage and Animal Group Division










Group
Carbon Tetrachloride Dosage
Dosage
No. of Mice





A
0(control)
0(control)
6


B
40% CCl4/olive oil
0(control)
6



(0.3 mg/100 g BW)


C
As above
50 mg(triple)/Kg
6


D
As above
50 mg(8 fold)/Kg
6









The mice of Groups A and B to D were under a hypodermic injection of olive oil (0.1 ml/100 g BW), and 40% of CCl4/Olive oil (0.3 ml/100 g BW) twice a week. The mice of Groups A and D were fed with physiological saline through a stomach tube, while the mice of Groups C and D were fed with two different dosages of extract of the invention's cultured Zang Zhi for five weeks. Then, the eyepit blood of all mice was collected to examine the biochemical measurement related to liver function. After that, the tested mice were sacrificed and the largest liver leaf was taken out to proceed with the hitopathogenic observation, such as damage to the liver cells, change of lipid, necrosis, cellulose and degree of these changes, and so on. Biochemical tests include activities of GTP and GOT, which are conducted according to the standards of International Clinic Chemistry. The experimental results show that GTP and GOT in the blood of a mouse liver damaged by carbon tetrachloride obviously increased after five weeks. GTP of about 850 units is 20–22 fold above the normal, and GOT of about 1700 units is 40–42 fold above the normal (FIG. 3–4). In addition, mice fed with triple and eight fold of concentrated extract of the invention's Zang Zhi have the capacity to inhibit the increase of GTP and GOT induced by CCl4. Particularly, when the GTP and GOT approach the peak, the triple concentrated extract can inhibit the increase of GTP by 37% and the increase of GOT by 65%.
When comparing the liver tissue of a normal mouse with the liver tissue of the mouse fed on CCl4 after six weeks, the liver tissue treated with CCl4 conspicuously shows tumefacient and gray rough surface. However, the liver tissue of the mouse fed on different concentrated Zang Zhi extracts shows no tumefacient and gray rough surface. Besides, by staining, one can see the pile of lipid granules, the tumid liver cells around the middle vein, macrophage and other irritated white blood cells infiltrating the liver cell space, and partial necrosis cells showing nodular transformation. However, the liver tissue of the mouse fed on different concentrated Zang Zhi extracts has no pathogenic changes as described above.
Table 6 shows the semi-quantification analysis of pathogenic mouse liver tissue. N represents the normal group, D represents CCl4 damaged group, X3 represents the group fed on triple concentrated extract, X8 represents the group fed on eight fold concentrated extract. It is proved that the concentrated Zang Zhi extract can significantly improve the pathogenic changes.







TABLE 6







Semi-Quantification Analysis of Mouse Pathogenic Liver Tissue










Cell necrosis
















Inflammation
Fat
Local
Cosecutive
Tuberous
Biliary




of liVer
degeneration
necrosis
necrosis
transformation
Proliferation
Calcification





N
0
0
0–1
0
0
0
0


D
2–3
2–3
2
2
0–1
1
0–1


X3
1
1–2
0–1
1–2
0–1
0–1
0–1


X8
0–1
0–1
0–1
1
0
0–1
0–1









Cancer Cells Inhibition Experiment
The Food Industry Research and Development Institute is entrusted to conduct an experiment to find out how the Zang Zhi solid cultured concentrate of this invention can inhibit cell growth of cervix cancer (HeLa), stomach cancer (AGS), breast cancer (MCF-7), liver cancer (HepG2), bowel cancer (COLO 320 HSR), etc. The results of cell growth inhibition are shown in Table 7. The Zang Zhi solid cultured concentrate of this invention can significantly inhibit the growth of tumor cells (up to 75% to 87%), especially the cells of breast cancer.







TABLE 7







Results of Cancer Cell Inhibition by Extract of Solid Cultured


Zang Zhi











Rate of Cell Growth Inhibition (%)



Cancer Cell Lines
Average (%) ± SD







Hela
83 ± 3.1



AGS
84 ± 2.7



HepG2
75 ± 2.4



MCF-7
87 ± 1.4







*The final concentration of the tested sample is 10% of the original concentration.






In addition, an experiment is conducted to find out the results of inhibiting bowel cancer growth by using 5 powder specimens (New1, New2, New3, New4 and New5), 11 liquid specimens (20L, New2, New3, 520, 521, 522, 523, 524, 525, 526 and 527) as well as their 1:10 specimen dilution by microculture tetrazolium assay. The results as shown in FIG. 5 reveal that in the final concentration 1/10 of stock solution can at least inhibit 30% of cancer cell growth, and the specimen 20L can inhibit the growth of cancer cells up to 90%.
Analysis of Chromosome Mutation in Vitro
Further, an analysis of chromosome configuration mutation in vitro was conducted to treat Chinese hamster ovary cells with the invention's Zang Zhi. The cells at middle mitosis were analyzed to observe and measure the frequency of abnormal chromosomes. Analysis of the configuration mutation of chromosome can estimate the ability of the invention's Zang Zhi to damage the cellular chromosome. Three treatments are given as follows: the first treatment is to add the invention's Zang Zhi to treat the cells for three hours, without adding the active mouse liver enzymes system (S9); the second one is to add S9 to treat the cells for 3 hours; and the third one is to treat the cells without adding S9 for 20 hours. All tested Zang Zhi concentrations under these three treatments cause no increase of the frequency of chromosomal configuration mutation. The experimental results are shown in the following Table 8.







TABLE 8







Analysis of Chromosomal Configuration Mutation










Experimental
Experimental




Target
Examples
Feed Period
Result





Chinese
Inoculate each
The tested concentrations
Results of the third group


hamster ovary
60 mm cell
of the first and second
under treatment reveal


cells; ATCC,
cultured plate
groups are 0, 312.5 625,
that treatment of Chinese


repository No.
according to the
1250, 2500 and 5000 ug/ml.
hamster ovary cells with


CCL-61
tested
The tested concentrations
the invention's Zang Zhi,


CHO-KI
concentrations;
of the third groups are 0,
before or after metabolic



each
30, 100, 1000, and 3000 ug/ml.
activities, does not show



concentration has
After culture under
significant increase of the



two plates; these
different conditions, cells
frequency of



samples are
with scattered uniformly
chromosomal



divided into
18–21 chromosomes are
configuration mutation of



three groups
selected for observation.
Chinese hamster ovary



according to the

cells.



different

The experimental result is



treatments.

negative.









The clastogenicity of the invention's Zang Zhi in the animal body was examined. Further, the risk estimation of human hereditary toxicity was made according to the formation of micronuclei in reticular mouse red blood cells. Twenty-five mice were divided into 5 groups in this experiment. Analysis of the micronuclei reveals that the reaction of invention's Zang Zhi to circumference blood micronuclei of mouse is negative.







TABLE 9







Analysis of Micronuclei in Animal Body










Experimental
Experimental




Target
Samples
Feed period
Experimental Results





ICR mouse
Samples are:
1st–4th groups of
1. There is no difference between



1. Solvent
mice respectively
tested dosage group and solvent



control group
were fed on 0, 500,
control group.



2. High
1000, 2000 mg/Kg
2. The rate of reticular red blood



dosage control
dosage;
cell analysis proves that high



group
Mice of positive
dosage would not be toxic to



3. Medium
control group were
mouse marrow.



dosage control
fed on 1.0 mg/Kg
3. There is no tendency of



group
MMC.
dosage reaction to micronuclei



4. Low dosage
The blood was
rate and the comparison of the



control group
collected and the
control group shows no



5. Positive
reticular red blood
significant increase. Thus



control group
cells were observed
analysis of the reaction of



6. Each group
under fluorescent
micronuclei of mouse



has five mice.
microscopy.
circumference blood to Zang Zhi





shows negative reaction.









According to the pharmacological data described above, the invention's solid Zang Zhi substance not only possesses active constituents similar to wild Zang Zhi, for example, polysaccharide and tertripoid, but also possess the same function of anti-lipid peroxidation, anti-free radicals and anti-oxidation. Besides, the invention's solid Zang Zhi substance possesses the function to protect the liver and fight against cancer.
While this invention has been described in detail with particular reference to its preferred embodiments, the principles and modes of operation of the invention have also been described in this specification. The invention should not be construed as being limited to the particular forms disclosed, which are illustrative rather than restrictive. Modifications, variations, and changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departure from the spirit and scope of the invention as described by the following claims.

## Claims

1. A method for culturing Antrodia camphorata comprising:
(a) culturing spawn of a wild-type fungus of Antrodia camphorata in a bag containing a medium comprising 10–70 wt % of a celluloytic substance, 10–30 wt % of a starch, 5–15 wt % of a millet, 1–10 wt % of a saccharide, 0.5–2 wt % of a phosphate and 0.1–1 wt % of a sulfite salt at a relative humidity of 60–80 wt %, the medium having a neutral pH, the culturing being carried out at a temperature of 5–32° C. in an atmosphere comprising 0.1–1 vol % carbon dioxide for a period sufficient to grow mycelium from the spawn;
(b) removing the medium from the bag;
(c) exposing the removed medium to air and maintaining the removed medium in the air for a period of days sufficient to form a solid fruiting body, said removed medium being maintained in the air at a temperature which differs between days and nights with the removed medium being maintained during the days at a temperature between 20° and 30° C. and during the nights at a temperature of 10–12° C., wherein the humidity of the air is between 90–95% and the air contains less than 1 vol % of carbon dioxide; and
(d) recovering the solid fruiting body.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the medium removed in step (c) is maintained during the days at a temperature that is 15° C. higher than the temperature during the nights.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the solid fruiting body is of conoid shape and is about 10–30 cm in diameter, 15–30 cm in height and 0.2–0.6 kg in weight.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the cellulolytic substance is mushroom.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the starch is potato.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the millet is rice bran.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the culturing in step (a) is carried out for a period of 50–80 days.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the removed medium is maintained in the air for the period of 20–50 days.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the bag comprises 65 wt % of stems, stalks or fruits of a grass plant of cellulolytic spelk, 20 wt % of potato, 10 wt % of rice bran, 3.5 wt % of glucose, 1 wt % of potassium phosphate and 0.5 wt % of magnesium sulfate.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the culturing in step (a) is carried out at a temperature of 50° C. to 28° C.

11. The method according to claim 2, wherein the culturing in step (a) is carried out at a temperature of 28° C.

12. The method according to claim 1, wherein the culturing in step (a) is carried out at a humidity of 60–80%.

13. The method according to claim 1, wherein the removed medium is maintained in humid air having a humidity of 90–95%.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the humid air has less than 1 vol % of carbon dioxide.

15. The method according to claim 1, comprising, prior step (a), the step of multiplying the spawn.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the spawn are multiplied by a liquid culture fermentation.

17. The method according to claim 1, further comprising grinding the solid fruiting body recovered in step (d) to form small pieces and then homogenizing the small pieces with water or alcohol to form a concentrated liquid.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the concentrated liquid is dehydrated to form a dry powder.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein the powder is wetted and then dried to form granules.

20. The method according to claim 1, wherein step (c) is carried out in moving air.