Investigation of the biosynthesis of 3α-hydroxy triterpenoids, ganoderic acids T and S, by application of a feeding experiment using [1,2- 13 C 2 ]acetate

The biosynthesis of 3α-acetoxy and 3α-hydroxytriterpenoids, ganoderic acids T and S, in cultured mycelia of Ganoderma lucidum fed with [1,2-13C2]acetate, was investigated by 13C NMR spectroscopy. The 13C-labelling patterns of ganoderic acids T and S indicate that (3S)-squalene 2,3-epoxide is a precursor of 3α-hydroxy triterpenoids in higher fungi as well as of those in higher plants.