Estimation of total phenolic, flavonoid contents and free radical scavenging activity of a wild macrofungus, Lenzites quercina (L.) P. Karsten

Abstract

Extracts obtained from raw and fermented Lenzites quercina were assessed for total phenol, flavonoid contents and antioxidant properties. The scavenging ability of Lenzites quercina extracts was tested against free radicals namely; 1, 1-diphenyl-2 picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), hydroxyl (OH-), nitric oxide (NO) and iron (Fe2+). Ethyl acetate extract from fermented Lenzites quercina (FEA) possessed higher phenolic content of 67.6 mg Gallic Acid Equivalent (GAE)/g extract, while an extract of ethyl acetate from raw Lenzites quercina (REA) have the highest flavonoid of 51.4 mg Quercetin Equivalent (QE)/g extract. Antioxidant property measured by FeCl3 reducing power was within 18.1 to 127.6 mg Ascorbic Acid Equivalent (AAE)/g extract for the extracts obtained from the raw and fermented Lenzites quercina. The scavenging properties of FEA were well pronounced against nitric oxide and ferrous ion radicals. FEA also exhibited better inhibition on thiobarbituric acid reactive species (TBARS) with highest inhibitory effect of 109.3%. Some of the extracts displayed inhibition concentration (IC50) that are lower than the positive control butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). The results from this study suggest that the high total phenol and flavonoid found in Lenzites quercina extracts could make it serve as a good antioxidant agent; this may be exploited as an alternative therapy in health care delivery.