ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF CULTURED MYCELIUM OF TEN DIFFERENT SPECIES OF OYSTER MUSHROOM, PLEUROTUS: A COMPARATIVE STUDY

The antioxidant activity of cultured mycelia of ten species of the oyster mushroom, Pleurotus species namely P. ostreatus, P. flabellatus, P. sapidus, P. citrinopileatus, P.roseus, P.sajor-caju, P.florida, P.cystidouses, P.fossulatus, and P.eryngii was examined. The extracts were screened for their ability to scavenge DPPH, hydroxyl, superoxide radicals and also for ferric reducing power and lipid peroxidation inhibiting activity. Among the ten species studied, all were found to possess DPPH radical scavenging and lipid peroxidation inhibiting properties. P florida scavenged DPPH radicals (94.02%) and P.citrinopileatus inhibited the lipid peroxidation (76.65%) more efficiently than others. Five among the ten Pleurotus species showed ferric reducing power, and SOD activity. P.ostreatus efficiently reduced ferric radicals (51.06%) and scavenged super oxide radicals (74.61%) when compared to others. From the ten species studied all except P.roseus scavenged hydroxyl radicals and the maximum activity was showed by P. sajor-caju (76.17%). The present study thus reveals the profound free radical scavenging activity of cultured mycelia of oyster mushrooms. The findings suggest the potential use of cultured mycelia of Pleurotus species as a dietary antioxidant supplement.