Selenium Content and Antioxidant Potential of Some Edible Wild Mushrooms from Bandundu Area, DR Congo

Nutrition is an important aspect of public health because it is linked to many significant diseases and health problems. This work is part of the promotion of traditional foods from the Democratic Republic of Congo in general and in the province of Bandundu, in particular by assessing the selenium content and the antioxidant capacity of wild edible mushrooms. Methanolic extracts from selected mushrooms were characterized for their chemical fingerprint by TLC and their in vitro antioxidant activities using ABTS, DPPH assays. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, free amines, steroids and terpenes in all species. However, Auricularia delicata and Pleurotus tuberregium contain flavonoids. All extracts displayed a good radical-scavenging activity at the concentration range 1 - 300 μg/mL in the following order: Auricularia delicata > Lentinus cf cladopus > Pleurotus tuberregium > Marasmius buzungolo > Schizophillum commune. Studied mushrooms showed the interest quantity of selenium and L. cf cladodus had the highest concentration. Moderate selenium content of these wild mushrooms associated with their important antioxidant activities could provide health benefits to Bandundu’s populations in protecting against oxidative damage under different conditions including konzo.