Antioxidant activity and mineral contents of the different parts of several mushrooms

Abstract

　Some mushrooms are known to be edible and have functional properties well. In this study, different mushrooms and their parts were analyzed for antioxidant activity and mineral content. The four kinds of mushrooms examined, namely Agrocybe cylindracea (Shakkiko1and Shakkiko2), Grifola gargal and Coprinus comatus (Coprino: Iwade-51 strain), were divided into caps, stipes, and base of stipes and were freeze-dried and powdered. The powdered samples were extracted using distilled water, and the antioxidant activity was evaluated by the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method. For evaluating the contents of three minerals (Fe, Cu, and Mn), the powdered samples were extracted using aqueous HCl, and the mineral contents were determined using an atomic absorption spectrometer. C. comatus showed the highest overall antioxidant activity; however, different parts of the mushrooms revealed different antioxidant activity values. The base of the stipes showed the highest Mn contents; consequently, we found differences in the amount of minerals among different parts of the fruiting body. Interestingly, the antioxidant activity of the evaluated specimens showed a positive correlation with Cu content.