Functional Characterization of Fruiting bodies and Mycelia of Gloeostereum incarnatum Strain 1949

Gloeostereum incarnatum is an edible mushroom known to produce various bioactive compounds with potential health benefits and is widely recognized as a valuable edible mushroom in China. However, studies on this species remain limited in Korea. In this study, the functional properties of G. incarnatum strain 1949, isolated in Korea, were evaluated through antioxidant activity and protein analyses. Fruiting bodies were obtained through artificial cultivation using a sawdust-based substrate supplemented with cottonseed hull and wheat bran, while mycelia were cultivated in YM broth. Samples were extracted with 70% ethanol to determine total phenolic content (TPC) and radical scavenging activities using DPPH and ABTS assays. The fruiting body extract showed a TPC of 504.2 mg GAE/100 g DW, with 71.4% DPPH and 59.4% ABTS radical scavenging activities. In addition, protein analysis of freeze-dried samples revealed concentrations of 11.67 mg/mL in the fruiting bodies and 10.16 mg/mL in the mycelia. These results indicate that both fruiting bodies and mycelia of G. incarnatum strain 1949 possess notable antioxidant activity and nutritional value. This study provides fundamental data on the functional characteristics of a Korean isolate of G. incarnatum and highlights its potential as a promising resource for functional food development.