Discipline: Chemistry and Chemical Sciences
Subcategory: Plant Research
Maat Mack - Howard University
Co-Author(s): Dr. Genevieve Adukpo, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
In addition to being edible nourishments, mushrooms are also known for their remedial and pharmaceutical properties. Specifically, the various species of the Ganoderma mushrooms contain a plethora of bioactive compounds, and are currently the most prevalent medicinal mushrooms known to man. Since the basis of their curative properties have been attributed to the phytochemicals and antioxidants present in the species, the aim of this study was to evaluate the phytoconstituents present in the some selected Ganoderma species in Ghana. Phytochemical screenings were conducted on four different samples of Ganoderma mushrooms that were collected from trees in the Assin Foso area of Cape Coast, Ghana; radical scavenging activities and total antioxidant status of the species were measured via spectrophotometric methods. We hypothesize that the extract from these samples would contain many of the phytochemicals tested and show substantial evidence of antioxidant activities.
These samples were air dried, powdered and labeled as G1, G4, GP1 and GP2 and then extracted from the mushrooms via cold maceration with methanol and petroleum ether as the polar and nonpolar solvents, respectively. The crude extracts obtained (PGp1, PGp2, PG1, PG4, MGp1, MGp2, MG1 and MG4) were phytochemically screened and flavonoids, phenols, alkaloids and tannins were among those identified. Furthermore, calculating the percent inhibition of each extract describes how effectively the samples reduced the free radical DPPH, and calculating the Total Flavonoid Content describes how much flavonoids were present. Results showed a substantial percent inhibition that increased with respect to concentration. The most significant sample measured 89.21% inhibition at its highest concentration, a result that indicates antioxidants present. Furthermore, results also showed substantial flavonoids in the methanol extracts, with values ranging from 0.21-0.24 ug/g.
In summation, Ganoderma mushrooms proved to be rich in phytochemicals and antioxidants which explain their medicinal characteristics. Further experiments will consist of testing the mushrooms against harmful bacteria as well as investigating commercializing possibilities.
Funder Acknowledgement(s): The Global Education and Awareness Research Undergraduate Program
Faculty Advisor: Genevieve Adukpo, gadukpo@ucc.edu.gh
Role: I air dried and milled the samples into powder and then preceded to complete cold maceration extraction with petroleum ether and methanol. Furthermore, I conducted phytochemical screening tests for nine phytochemicals and performed Thin Layer Chromatography. I also used DPPH to test the antioxidant activity as well as calculated the percent inhibition of DPPH and the Total Flavonoid Content of each sample.