Comparative analysis of solvent-specific extraction efficiencies and bioactivities of Pleurotus pulmonarius (Fr.) Qu´el. from Ranni Forest Division of Kerala, India

Pleurotus pulmonarius mushrooms, collected from the Ranni Forest Division in Kerala, India, were evaluated for
their bioactive constituents and antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antidiabetic activities using five solvent
extracts: methanol, ethyl acetate, acetone, chloroform, and hexane. Total phenolic, flavonoid, and alkaloid
contents were quantified, and antioxidant potential was assessed through phosphomolybdenum, FRAP, DPPH,
and ABTS assays. Methanol extracts demonstrated the highest total phenolic (0.8369 μg/ml) and flavonoid
(0.8314 μg/ml) concentrations, while ethyl acetate was notably rich in alkaloids (0.5143 μg/ml). Methanol
exhibited superior antioxidant activity in DPPH, FRAP, and phosphomolybdenum assays, whereas acetone was
most effective in the ABTS assay. Methanol extracts also showed notable anti-inflammatory (IC50 = 3.35 μg/ml)
and antidiabetic (IC50 = 1.39 μg/ml) activities. The study highlights P. pulmonarius as a promising natural source
of bioactive compounds suitable for medicinal and nutritional applications.