Liquid static cultivation of Ganoderma lucidum was previously found to be very efficient for improving the production of its valuable antitumor compound ganoderic acid (GA) (Fang and Zhong in Biotechnol Prog 18:51-54, 2002). In this work, effects of oxygen concentration within the range of 21-100% (v/v) in the gaseous phase on the mycelia growth, GA production, and gene transcription of key enzymes for GA biosynthesis in liquid static cultures of G. lucidum were investigated. A high cell density of 29.8 +/- 1.7 g/l DW and total GA production of 1427.2 +/- 74.2 mg/l were obtained under an optimal gaseous O(2) level of 80%. The expression of 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-CoA reductase, squalene synthase and lanosterol synthase genes of GA biosynthetic pathway as detected by quantitative real-time PCR was also affected by the gaseous oxygen concentration in the liquid static culture. H(2)O(2) was generated as reactive oxygen species in response to high oxygen concentrations in the gas phase, and it seemed to be involved in the regulation of GA biosynthesis. The information obtained in this study provided an insight into the role of gaseous O(2) in the GA production and it will be helpful for further enhancing its productivity.