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Evaluation of Metal Concentration and Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, and Anticancer Potentials of Two Edible Mushrooms Lactarius deliciosus and Macrolepiota procera

Summary

This research examined two common edible mushrooms to understand their potential health benefits and safety. The study found these mushrooms have promising antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-cancer properties, but one species (M. procera) contained unsafe levels of cadmium metal. This research impacts everyday life in several ways: • Helps consumers make informed choices about which mushroom species are safe to eat • Identifies natural sources of compounds that could fight disease • Highlights the importance of testing wild-gathered foods for contamination • Suggests new directions for developing natural medicines • Demonstrates the need for monitoring heavy metal levels in foraged foods

Background

Mushrooms are known to be good sources of nutritional value and can accumulate heavy metals from the environment. They also produce secondary metabolites with potential therapeutic properties including antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticancer, and immunostimulatory effects. Only limited studies exist on the bioactive properties of mineral-enriched mushrooms.

Objective

To evaluate the metal contents and antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anticancer potentials of methanol extracts from two edible mushroom species – Lactarius deliciosus and Macrolepiota procera.

Results

M. procera showed more potent free radical scavenging activity (IC50 = 311.40 μg/mL) than L. deliciosus. Both extracts demonstrated effective reducing power. L. deliciosus showed better antimicrobial activity with MIC values of 2.5-20 mg/mL. Both mushrooms exhibited similar cytotoxic activity with IC50 values ranging from 19.01-80.27 μg/mL. All metals were within allowable concentrations except for Cd in M. procera which was three times higher than permitted levels.

Conclusion

The tested mushroom extracts demonstrated antioxidant, antimicrobial and anticancer activities in vitro. However, M. procera showed elevated Cd levels above safe limits, suggesting caution in its consumption. The antimicrobial and anticancer activities of M. procera may be partially attributed to Cd toxicity. Further research is needed to identify the active compounds responsible for the observed therapeutic effects.
  • Published in:Journal of Food and Drug Analysis,
  • Study Type:Laboratory Research,
  • Source: 10.1016/j.jfda.2016.01.008
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