Assessment of utilized species of macrofungi and evaluation of mycochemical composition and bioactive properties of Phellinus robiniae collected from Benguet Province, Philippines

Abstract

Macrofungi have long been used as food, medicine and other purposes. Several studies have been conducted on various macrofungi, however little is known about the wild useful macrofungi from the mountainous areas in the Philippines. Therefore, this study was conducted to document the diversity of wild utilized macrofungi in Kabayan, Benguet to come up with the species listing of wild utilized macrofungi in the area and assessment of the mycochemical composition, anti-oxidant activity and cytotoxic property of the basidiocarps of Phellinus robiniae. Seven wild utilized macrofungi were documented, all were identified morphologically, while four were subjected through molecular techniques to confirm identity; of the 7 mushrooms identified, five are edible (Hypholoma capnoides, Lentinula lateritia, Tremella fuciformis, Tremella mesenterica and Albatrellus confluens) and two are medicinal (Heterobasidion annosum and Phellinus robiniae). The identified mushrooms were: Hypholoma capnoides 92% (MF511082), Lentinula lateritia 99% (AF031192), Tremella fuciformis 94% (KY105682), Albatrellus confluens, Heterobasidion annosum 97% (KU645332), Tremella mesenterica and Phellinus robiniae. Assessment of bioactive properties of P. robiniae showed that the basidiocarp contains eleven bio-active secondary metabolites (essential oils, phenols, sugars, triterpenes, coumarines, anthraquinones, anthrones, tannins, alkaloids, flavonoids and steroids). This study also revealed that P. robiniae exhibited anti-oxidant activity with a DPPH radical scavenging activity of 34.59% and a total phenolic content of 49.42 mg GAE/g. Moreover, the ethanolic extract of P. robiniae showed an LC50 of 328.05 ppm which is considered as moderately toxic. This study provides baseline information on the utilized species of wild mushrooms that are found in the area.