Bioactive Compounds and Pharmacological Properties of the Polypore Fomes fomentarius, a Medicinal Wild Mushroom
El Hadi Erbiai1,2,3, Safae Maouni2,4, Luís Pinto da Silva3
1Centre for the Research and Technology of Agroenvironmental and Biological Sciences, CITAB, Inov4Agro, Universidadede Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, UTAD, Quinta de Prados, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal.
Abstract:
Polypore mushrooms have been widely recognized for centuries for their use in food and medicine due to their strong capacity to produce numerous biomolecules with beneficial effects on human health. Fomes fomentarius is one such species that remains poorly explored, particularly when growing in Morocco. Herein, this study aimed to characterize the bioactive compounds of F. fomentarius and evaluate its pharmacological properties. Spectrophotometric analysis showed that F. fomentarius revealed high levels of total phenolics (75.83 mg GAE/g dme) and flavonoids (37.62 mg CE/g dme). Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis identified 109 volatile and non-volatile compounds, primarily sugars (24), fatty acids (23), alcohols (10), organic acids (9), and terpenoids (6). In addition, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis allowed the identification of 24 phenolic compounds, with isorhamnetin (2734.00 µg/g), p-hydroxybenzoic acid (409.00 µg/g), and kaempferol (351.10 µg/g) as the most abundant. Regarding pharmacological properties, F. fomentarius extract demonstrated strong antioxidant activity, with the DPPH radical-scavenging assay showing the highest potency, followed by β-carotene bleaching inhibition and ferric ion-reducing power, with EC50 (half maximal effective concentration) values of 114.40, 174.50, and 250.70 µg/mL, respectively. Additionally, it exhibited broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against all seven human pathogenic microorganisms, with Epidermophyton floccosum being the most susceptible ((minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC)) = 2 mg/mL and minimal fungicidal concentration (MFC) = 4 mg/mL) and A. fumigatus the most resistant (MIC = 26.67 mg/mL and MFC ≥ 64 mg/mL). Overall, the result indicated that Moroccan F. fomentarius is a rich source of diverse bioactive compounds with potent antioxidant and antimicrobial activities, supporting its potential for various applications.
Insights
This study reveals that Moroccan Fomes fomentarius mushrooms are rich in bioactive compounds like phenolics and flavonoids. These compounds demonstrate significant antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, supporting their potential medicinal applications.
Area of Science:
- Mycology and Phytochemistry
- Pharmacognosy and Natural Products Research
Background:
- Polypore mushrooms, including Fomes fomentarius, are recognized for medicinal properties.
- Fomes fomentarius remains underexplored, especially Moroccan strains.
Purpose of the Study:
- Characterize bioactive compounds in Moroccan Fomes fomentarius.
- Evaluate the pharmacological activities of Fomes fomentarius extracts.
Main Methods:
- Spectrophotometric analysis for total phenolics and flavonoids.
- Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) for volatile and non-volatile compounds.
- Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) for phenolic compounds identification.
- Antioxidant assays (DPPH, beta-carotene, ferric ion-reducing power).
- Antimicrobial activity testing against human pathogens.
Main Results:
- High levels of total phenolics (75.83 mg GAE/g dme) and flavonoids (37.62 mg CE/g dme) detected.
- GC-MS identified 109 compounds; LC-MS identified 24 phenolic compounds, notably isorhamnetin, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, and kaempferol.
- Extract showed potent antioxidant activity (DPPH EC50 = 114.40 µg/mL).
- Broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity observed, with varying efficacy against tested pathogens.
Conclusions:
- Moroccan Fomes fomentarius is a valuable source of diverse bioactive compounds.
- The mushroom exhibits significant antioxidant and antimicrobial potential.
- Supports further research into Fomes fomentarius for pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications.
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