Evaluation of Bioactivities and Phenolic Content of Selected Edible Mushrooms in Malaysia

Fai-Chu Wong^1,2, Tsun-Thai Chai^1,2, Soon-Leong Tan² and Ann-Li Yong²

¹Centre for Biodiversity Research, ²Department of Chemical Science, Faculty of Science, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, 31900 Kampar, Malaysia

*For correspondence: Email: wongfc@utar.edu.my; Tel: +605-468 8888 ext 4521; Fax: +605-4661676         

Received: 13 August 2012                                                                     Revised accepted: 15 October 2013

Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research, December 2013; 12(6): 1011-1016

Purpose: To determine the radical scavenging, metal chelating, antibacterial and cytotoxic activities of five edible mushrooms in Malaysia.

Methods: Mushrooms (H. tessulatus, P. eryngii, P. florida, A. polytricha and F. velutipes) were oven-dried and extracted with 90 % ethanol. Radical scavenging and metal chelating assays were based on the measurement of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and ferrozine absorbance at 517 and 562 nm, respectively. Mushrooms total phenolic and flavonoid contents were determined by spectrophotometric methods. Antimicrobial activity was measured using Kirby-Bauer Susceptibility Test. Cytotoxicity was assessed using brine shrimp toxicity assay.

Results: Total phenolic and flavonoid contents ranged from 0.90 - 6.03 mg GAE per g of dry sample and 0.17 - 6.95 mg QE per g of dry sample, respectively. A. polytricha demonstrated the strongest radical scavenging and metal chelating activities. Moderate antimicrobial activity was found for extracts of both P. florida and A. polytricha. Cytotoxicity LD₅₀ ranged from 46.9 - 115.8 µg/ml.

Conclusion: The results suggest that A. polytricha is a suitable candidate for chemoprevention and would safe for use in large doses.