Antioxidant Activity, Total Phenolic and Metals Contents of Lactarius Salmonicolor (r. Heim & Leclair)

The mushroom Lactarius salmonicolor (R. Heim & Leclair) was investigated for its antioxidant potential, total phenolic and metal contents. The antioxidant activity was studied by 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-Azinobis(3ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radicals scavenging, reducing power, ferrous ion chelating and 15lipoxygenase inhibition assays. The total phenolic content was evaluated using the Folin-Ciocalteu method. The metals content was analysed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The ethanolic extract, having a total phenolic content of 11.47 ± 0.19 mg/g, showed a high 15-lipoxygenase inhibitory activity being only 3.5 times less active than (+)-catechin (EC50 = 226.67 ± 0.95 and 64.17 ± 0.15 μg/mL, respectively). The concentrations of As, Cd and Hg in the fruiting bodies were found to be 0.3 ± 0.0, 0.05 ± 0.00 and 0.14 ± 0.00 mg/kg, respectively. With respect to these metals, the consumption of 300 g fresh or 30 g dry fruiting bodies daily has no health risk for the consumer. L. salmonicolor fruiting bodies proved to be an important source of Ca (3607.98 ± 1.15 mg/kg), Mg (934.67 ± 1.07 mg/kg), Se (1.49 ± 0.11 mg/kg) and Zn (152.53 ± 1.05 mg/kg). The results are promising regarding a possible use of L. salmonicolor ethanolic extract in the food supplements industry.