Phytochemical Screening and Free Radical Scavenging Activity of Seven wild Mushrooms Growing in University of Chittagong campus

Objective: This study was undertaken to evaluate the phytochemical constituent and antioxidant activity of seven wild mushrooms of University of Chittagong campus. Methods: Phytochemical screening was performed using standard methods while DPPH radical scavenging assay was used to elucidate the antioxidant effect of eight wild mushrooms of University of Chittagong campus. Results: Results found from the quantitative analysis revealed the presence of alkaloids, glycosides, carbohydrates, steroids, tannins, flavonoids and saponins in the methanol extracts of different mushrooms. Both Ganoderma lucidum and Ganoderma applanatum showed significant (P<0.001) increase in the percentage of scavenging activity at 400 g/ml concentration when compared with ascorbic acid. An increase in the scavenging activity of DPPH radical was found with the increasing concentration of the mushrooms extracts. The methanol extract of Ganoderma lucidum, Ganoderma applanatum and Fomitopsis cajanderi showed strong antioxidant activity with an IC50 value of 35.33, 38.73 and 39.44 g/ml respectively in comparison with the IC50 value (49.19 g/ml) of ascorbic acid. Daedaleopsis confragosa (IC50: 51.21 g/ml) showed almost similar antioxidant capacity as the positive control. Conclusions: The mushroom species investigated have been shown to be great sources of antioxidants and phytochemical constituents. So, these mushrooms can be used in the management of oxidative stress induced diseases. Graphical Abstract