Antioxidant properties of methanolic extracts from two kinds of Antrodia camphorata mycelia

Red and white mycelia of Antrodia camphorata (Zang and Su) were obtained due to different fermentation operations. The antioxidant properties and antioxidant components of methanolic extracts from these two mycelia were studied. Using the conjugated diene method, the antioxidant activity of methanolic extracts from white mycelia was better than that from red mycelia (EC50 3.11 vs. 19.8 mg ml−1). Both mycelia were efficient in the reducing power and scavenging effect on 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radicals but white mycelia showed significantly lower EC50 values (1.56 and 1.70 mg ml−1, respectively). At 7.5–10 mg ml−1, the chelating effects on ferrous ions reached a plateau of 95.7–98.7% for both mycelia. However, the EC50 value was lower for red mycelia. Contents of antioxidant components were found to be in the order of tocopherols > total phenols > ascorbic acid > β-carotene. Methanolic extracts from A. camphorata red and white mycelia were good in the antioxidant properties tested, except for the scavenging effect on hydroxyl ions. Although contents of total antioxidant components were relatively high in red mycelia, the antioxidant properties were better with the methanolic extract from white mycelia.