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

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