Bioactive profile, free-radical scavenging potential, DNA damage protection activity, and mycochemicals in Aspergillus awamori (MTCC 548) extracts: a novel report on filamentous fungi

Biomass of Aspergillus awamori was investigated for mycochemicals, total phenolic compounds (TPC), condensed tannin content (CTC), free-radical scavenging potential (FRSP), and DNA damage protection activity. FRSP was determined using DPPH, ABTS, FRAP (Ferric reducing antioxidant power), metal chelating activity, and cupric reducing antioxidant capacity) assays. Water (Aq), aqueous ethanol 50% (AqE), and methanol were used as extraction phase at 44.5 °C for 23.8 min. AqE shows the presence of maximum mycochemicals (coumarins, glucose, saponins, flavonoids, and tannin). Further quantitative analysis shows maximum TPC (23.17 mg GAE/g dwb) in AqE and CTC (.89 mg CE/g dwb) in ME. Qualitative and quantitative analysis for identification of specific bioactive compound in AqE was carried out using HPLC. HPLC analysis confirmed the presence of bioactive compounds: p'-Coumaric acid (5.96 mg/g dwb), cinnamic acid (4.31 mg/g dwb), gallic acid (2.27 mg/g dwb), and ascorbic acid (.98 mg/g dwb). All the extracts show significant DNA damage protection activity; however, AqE showed the maximum activity. Pearson correlations were also calculated to find the relationships between bioactive compounds and antioxidant potential.