Edible mushrooms as promising antioxidants

Abstract

Antioxidant activity of the acetone extracts of the mushrooms Macrolepiota procera and Chlorophyllum rhacodes has been screened in vitro by using different methods (DPPH radical scavenging and reducing power assay), and also it has been determined the total phenolic compounds as total flavonoid content. The research findings indicate that the acetone extract of M. procera demonstrated superior antioxidant activities when compared to C. rhacodes. Similarly, the mushroom M. procera displayed a more pronounced effect on reducing power. In addition, the total content of phenol and flavonoid in extracts were determined as pyrocatechol equivalent, and as rutin equivalent, respectively. A higher content of total phenols and flavonoids was detected in the extract of M. procera. The strong relationships between total phenolic and flavonoid contents and the antioxidative activities of tested extracts imply that these compounds have a significant impact on antioxidant activity. The present study highlights that the tested mushroom species exhibit potent antioxidant properties and can be regarded as valuable sources of natural antioxidants.