Antioxidant status and selenium content in macromycetes of the Mountainous Crimea

Abstract

Antioxidant status and selenium accumulation by 18 macromycetes species of the Mountainous Crimea was investigated. Total antioxidant activity of 5 families’ representatives composed ranges of 23.9 - 43.3 mg GAE/g d.w. for Boletaceae, 13.0-25.0 mg GAE/g d.w. for Russulaceae, 13.5-20.9 mg GAE/g d.w. for Tricholomotaceae, 13.8-38.0 mg GAE/g d.w. for Agaricaceae. Selenium accumulation levels reached 423-3352 µg/kg d.w. (Boletaceae), 236-1076 µg/kg d.w. (Russulaceae), 664-1213 µg/kg d.w (Tricholomotaceae) and 289-2392 µg/kg d.w. (Agaricaceae). High antioxidant activity (39.2 mg GAE/g d.w.) and specific carotenoid composition including 9-cis lycopene (1.8 mg/g) and beta-carotene (0.2 mg/g) were recorded for Clathrus ruber for the first time. The results indicate high significance of macromycetes investigated as powerful sources of antioxidants and selenium.