Evaluation of antioxidant potential of four cultivated mushroom species of India

Abstract

Mushroom cultivation has got a boost over the past few years due to their nutrition, biological activities and potential to convert agro-wastes into nutritious food by eco-friendly methods. The present study was conducted with objectives to evaluate the antioxidant potential through DPPH radicle scavenging activity, reducing power, total phenolic contents (TPC), non-protein thiols (NPTs), superoxide dismutase activity and ascorbate peroxidase activity of four cultivated mushrooms in India. Among all studied mushroom species V. volvacea (77.618%±0.378) displayed the highest DPPH radical scavenging activity in aqueous extract (WE) and C. indica (10.10%±0.378) displayed the lowest in methanol extract (ME). The maximum reducing activity was shown by Calocybe indica (0.415±0.002) in WE and minimum by Flammulina velutipes (0.029±0.002) in ME. The highest value of TPC was shown by Volvariella volvacea (2.045±0.047 μg GAE/mg DW) in WE and the minimum by C. indica (0.673±0.03 μg GAE/mg DW) in AE (acetone extract). Non-protein thiols (NPTs) values ranged from 1.061±0.029 to 2.360±0.016 μ moles/g DW. These cultivated mushrooms also showed good Superoxide dismutase activity (8.95±0.27×15.43±0.65 U activity/mg Protein) and Ascorbate peroxidase activity (0.677±0.14×7.07±0.58 μ moles/mg protein min-1). All studied mushrooms displayed high antioxidant activities in vitro, hence, recommended for Indian diets and for further screening for medicinal uses.