ASSESSMENT OF ANTIMICROBIAL AND ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF THE ACETONIC EXTRACT OF ARMILLARIA GALLICA BASIDIOCARPS AND ANALYSIS OF THE PRESENCE OF METALS

Abstract

Armillaria gallica Marxm. & Romagn., commonly known as bulbous honey fungus, is a species of mushroom that is conditionally edible, typically appearing during autumn. The objective of this study was to assess the antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of the acetonic extract of A. gallica and to analyze the presence of metals in its dry basidiocarps. Antimicrobial activity was evaluated using the microdilution method, while antioxidant activity was determined through the DPPH and reducing power assays. The total phenolic content was estimated as gallic acid equivalent. Additionally, the metal content in dry basidiocarps was examined using atomic absorption spectrometry. The minimal inhibitory concentrations ranged from 5 to 20 mg/ml. The half-maximal inhibitory concentration in the DPPH assay was 944.52 μg/ml, and the absorbances in the reducing power assay ranged from 0.117 to 0.032. The total phenolic content was determined to be 6.85 mg GAE/g. The most abundant metal was iron with a concentration of 5492 mg/kg. Armillaria gallica is a widely distributed species of conditionally edible mushroom, exhibiting relatively pronounced antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. However, caution is advised when consuming this mushroom due to its tendency to accumulate metals in its basidiocarps.