Objective  To comprehensively evaluate the quality of Ganoderma lucidum(G. lucidum) cultivated in different JUNCAO substrates by using water-soluble extract, polysaccharide peptides, ganoderic acids, sterols, monosaccharides and molecular weight map as indicators.

  Method  Contents of polysaccharide peptides, ganoderic acids, sterols, and monosaccharides in the water-soluble extract of G. lucidum cultivated in different substrates using JUNCAO as ingredients were determined by HPLC. Differences and correlations among the evaluation criteria were statistically analyzed, and a molecular weight map of the active substances constructed.

  Result  The content of water-soluble extract of various G. lucidum samples ranged 14.21%–17.35%, that of polysaccharide peptides 3.80%–6.63%, that of total ganoderic acids 0.24%–0.53%, and that of sterols 31.43–69.16 μg·g⁻¹. The contents of water extract and the active substances were positively correlated. Among these substances, two principal components contributed 84.63% cumulative variance. The monosaccharides in G. lucidum were mainly glucose, aside from a small amount of mannose. There were 6 common peaks in the molecular weight fingerprint that showed a similarity between groups greater than 0.98.

  Conclusion   There were significant differences in the content of active substances in G. lucidum cultivated with different substrates, and polysaccharide peptide and ganoderic acids could be used as important indicators for quality evaluation. G lucidum cultivated with Neyraudia reynaudiana, Arundo donax and Miscanthus floridulus is rich in active ingredients, which provides reference for the scientific cultivation of G. lucidum of JUNCAO for .