Antioxidant Properties of Cold Water Extracts from Ganoderma tsugae

Ganoderma tsugae Murrill are available in the form of mature and baby Ling chih, mycelia and fermentation filtrate. From these four forms, cold water extracts were prepared and their antioxidant properties were studied. Cold water extracts from mature and baby Ling chih and filtrate showed high antioxidant activities as evidenced by low EC50 value (＜0.1mg/mL) whereas that from mycelia showed a EC50 value of 0.34mg/mL. With regard to reducing power, the EC50 value for Ling chih was lower than 1mg/mL, whereas other EC50 values were 3.64–4.30mg/mL. Baby Ling chih was more effective in scavenging ability on 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radicals as evidenced by its low EC50 value of 4.66mg/mL whereas other EC50 values were 10.14-11.72mg/mL. Four forms of G. tsugae were much more effective in scavenging ability on hydroxyl radials as evidenced by low EC50 value (＜0.1mg/mL). Mature and baby Ling chih were more effective in chelating ability on ferrous ions than mycelia and filtrate. From EC50 values obtained, cold water extracts possessed good antioxidant properties, especially antioxidant activity and chelating ability on ferrous ions.