Polypore fungi of Caucasian alder as a source of antioxidant and antitumor agents

Abstract

Macroscopic fungi on Caucasian alder wood (Alnus subcordata) were identified and tested as a source of betulin and betulinic acid (the most important metabolites of the Betulaceae family) to evaluate levels of phenols, flavonoids and antioxidant activity. Ganoderma applanatum, Lenzites betulina, Trichaptum biforme, Rigidoporus ulamrius, Fomes fomentarius, Schizophyllum commune, Auricularia mesenterica, and Trametes versicolor were among those identified, and they differed significantly in the level of betulin and betulinic acid and phenols, flavonoids and antioxidant properties in fungal tissues extracted with methanol and with ethanol (p ≤ 0.01). G. applanatum had the most betulin (3.642%) and S. commune the most betulinic acid (1.413%). All tested fungi had high antioxidant activity, and L. betulina had the highest (97.775%). The highest amounts of phenol (719.993 mg mL−1) and flavonoids (361.403 mg mL−1) were found in the ethanolic extract from G. applanatum. Considering the results of this study and the low cost and convenient access to these fungi, they should be good sources for producing different drugs.