Medicinal Fungus Ganoderma lucidum as Raw Material for Alcohol Beverage Production

Abstract Medicinal fungi, especially Ganoderma lucidum , are a notable raw material for alcohol beverage production. The fungus G. lucidum is appreciated due to a specific bitter taste, which comes from bioactive compounds, mainly triterpenoids. The phenolic compounds and triterpene are the most valuable G. lucidum bioactive compounds, which are soluble in strong alcoholic beverages. Thus, the main attention will be dedicated to their chemical characteristics and bioactivity. The main goal of this chapter is to summarize the data about production processes, physicochemical characteristics, bioactivity, and sensory characteristics of alcohol beverages produced with G. lucidum and also in combination with other plants. Scientific data show that this fungus improves the functional properties of alcohol beverages, such as antioxidant and antiaging. Even more, G. lucidum changes the color of alcoholic beverages and accelerates a long period of maturation in wooden casks.