Original Articles
Krishnendu Acharya, Payel Mitr
Abstract
Calocybe indica is a well known, important medicinal mushroom. But its quality standards are not yet reported. Hence, the present study was conducted which included microscopic, physical and florescent characterisation of dry powder derived from the fruit bodies of the mushroom. A methanolic extract of this fungus was also prepared for analysis of phenol, flavonoid, ascorbic acid, β-carotene and lycopene content. High performance liquid chromatography was used to determine the phenolic fingerprinting. The chromatogram indicated presence of atleast 6 phenolic compounds in the extract. In-vitro antioxidant assays revealed that the extract also posses DPPH radical scavenging activity (EC50 was 0.957 mg/ml) and total antioxidant capacity of 19.0 μg AAE/ mg of extract. In the end data depicted in this investigation is quite significant towards future identification as well as authentication of this mushroom material establishing pharmacognostic standards. Its good antioxidant activity indicates its potentiality to be used as a therapeutic drug.