Antioxidant activity and total phenolics of edible mushroom extracts

Methanol and water crude extracts from Shiitake mushroom (Lentinus edodes) and straw mushroom (Volvariella volvacea) were investigated for their antioxidant capacity in three different assays, namely, the β-carotene and linoleic acid system, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, and inhibition of hemolysis of rat erythrocyte induced by peroxyl radicals. Among the four mushroom extracts, the water extract from L. edodes showed the most potent radical scavenging activity in each assay, showing 75.9% (at 20 mg/ml) in the β-carotene bleaching method, 55.4% in the DPPH radical scavenging method (at 6 mg/ml) and 94.9% of inhibition of erythrocyte hemolysis (at 5 mg/ml). Total phenolics in the water extracts were higher than that of the methanol ones. Positive correlations were found between total phenolic content in the mushroom extracts and their antioxidant activities. Edible mushrooms may have potential as natural antioxidants.