Since the beginning of human civilization, natural products such as
mushrooms and herbs have been valued for both culinary and medicinal
properties [1]. Ganoderma lucidum (GL), a species of basidiomycotina
mushroombelonging to the family of Ganodermaceae of Aphyllophorals,
is one of the most renowned and popular functional food for preventive
medicines in the oriental medicine for more than 2000 years [2]. It has
recently become a popular dietary supplement ingredient in western
countries, with an annual global market value of over $1.5 billion [3].
Traditionally, only the fruiting body of GL has been suggested to against
the aging of human body. More recently, G. lucidum spores (GLSs) have
been recognized and utilized for medical purposes, such as immunity
enhancement [4], diabetes prevention [5] and anticancer [6].
GLSs are generative cells produced during the late growth stage
of the sporophore, with a particle size of about 6.5–8 × 9.6–12.6 μm
and a protective bilayer sporoderm structure. The major bioactive