Impact of Cold Plasma Treatment on Bioactive and Mineral Components of Cultivated Ganoderma lucidum : A Comparison With Natural Samples

Ganoderma lucidum (GL), an adaptogenic medicinal mushroom, supports homeostasis and immunity through bioactive constituents. This study compares natural mushroom (NM) with laboratory‐cultivated counterparts, both untreated (CCM) and subjected to cold plasma treatment (surface dielectric barrier discharge, DBD, for 8 min; CPM), to evaluate metabolomic profiles, bioactive properties, and mineral content. Natural and cultivated samples were harvested and analyzed for metabolite classes including ascorbic acid, astaxanthin, total polysaccharides, total phenolics, total flavonoids, kojic acid, β‐carotene, lycopene, ergosterol, betulin, betulinic acid, ganoderic acids, total terpenoids, and total triterpenes. Comparisons were made among NM, CCM, and CPM groups. In CPM, ascorbic acid, β‐carotene, total phenolics, total flavonoids, and betulin increased 1.8, 1.6, 3, 2.2, and 5‐fold relative to NM, and 1.5, 2.3, 1.88, 5, and 2‐fold relative to CCM, respectively. Kojic acid was higher in CPM than in both cultivated groups. Conversely, NM possessed greater ganoderic acid, betulinic acid, lycopene, total terpenoids, and total triterpenes, and showed superior FRAP antioxidant activity compared with CCM and CPM. Macronutrients Na, K, Ca, and Mg were 14, 17, 7, and 17‐fold higher in CPM than NM. Micronutrients boron, manganese, copper, selenium, and zinc were 4.4, 5.4, 3.2, 7, and 1.8‐fold higher, respectively. Application of cold plasma significantly enhanced the accumulation of certain bioactive compounds compared to the control treatment. These compounds play a vital role in the survival and adaptability of the fungus. Therefore, this approach not only ensures high‐quality production but also contributes to the protection of forest ecosystems by reducing the pressure on natural resources.