Antioxidants and free radical scavenging activity of Phellinus baumii (Phellinus of Hymenochaetaceae) extracts

This study was carried out to expand the utilization (for the pharmaceutical and food industries) of extracts of Phellinus baumii. Fractions rich in phenolics were extracted from P. baumii using various solvents. Antioxidant and free radical scavenging activity were studied using a beta-carotene-linoleate model system and reactive oxygen species generation system. Total phenolic compounds in methanol and hot water extracts were 33.3 and 20.7 mg/100 ml, respectively; these values are higher than other solvent extracts. Therefore, methanol and hot water extracts exhibited good inhibition rates, of about 80-90%, by hydroxyl radical scavenging activity, hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity, effect of reducing power on metallic compound formation and antioxidant activity. (C) 2003 Published by Elsevier Ltd.