Multivariate chemometric profiling of Himalayan Ganoderma isolates: linking host and altitude to nutritional,...

Five Himalayan Ganoderma isolates (G. leucocontextum: GL11, GL13, GL17; G. lucidum: GL20, GL24) were analysed for nutritional composition, mineral content, antioxidant activity, and metabolomic fingerprints. Proximate analysis revealed significant host-dependent variation, with protein ranging from 15.26 ± 0.14% to 18.49 ± 0.27%. Principal component analysis (PCA) of mineral data explained 85.78% of variance, with Quercus-associated high-altitude isolates clustering together; Pearson correlation highlighted strong Ca-Sr and Na-Zn associations and negative Mn-Na and Fe-Ca interactions. Antioxidant assays showed species-level divergence: G. leucocontextum isolates exhibited lower phenolics (1.31 ± 0.01-1.78 ± 0.01 mg GAE per g) and terpenoids (2.37 ± 0.005-3.60 ± 0.003 mg UA per g) with weaker FRAP (76.66 ± 0.001-111.42 ± 0.003 µmol g^-1), while G. lucidum isolates showed higher phenolics (2.83 ± 0.02-4.54 ± 0.04 mg GAE per g), terpenoids (5.82 ± 0.009-6. 36 ± 0.01 mg UA per g) stronger FRAP (133.33 ± 0.006-162.38 ± 0.02 µmol g^-1), and lower IC₅₀ values (208.09 ± 13.23-211.28 ± 3.35). HCA validated the species-specific separation, categorizing G. leucocontextum strains in one group and G. lucidum in another. Metabolomics using GC-MS revealed 179 metabolites, with PCA explaining 85.16% of the variability. Primary separation was performed by lipid esters such as ethyl-hexadecanoate, while secondary differentiation was performed by aromatic compounds such as 1H-indene, 1-methylene-, and aniline derivatives. Lipid esters established wide differentiation, while aromatic compounds were used for subtle chemical fingerprinting. Both PCA and HCA demonstrate that ecological context plays an important role in shaping the biochemical profile of Ganoderma.