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a b s t r a c tAgaricus brasiliensis is a mushroom native from Brazil largely studied due to its polysaccharide contents, particularly b-glucans. In this study, the phenolics and organic acids contents as well as the antioxidant activities of its fruiting bodies and its mycelia obtained from submerged cultivation were compared. The hydroalcoholic extracts obtained from the fruiting bodies, early stationary mycelia and late stationary mycelia contain at least ten phenolic compounds and ten organic acids. Three phenolic compounds were identified as gallic acid, syringic acid and pyrogallol. Eight organic acids were identified as benzoic, oxalic, malic, acetic, alpha-ketoglutaric, citric, fumaric and trans-aconitic acids. All extracts presented antioxidant properties. The latter were evaluated by four assays: DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities, chelating ability for ferrous ions and inhibition of lipid peroxidation. The fruiting body extracts were more effective in the DPPH radical scavenging activity and lipid peroxidation inhibition that the mycelia extracts (P 0.05). The mycelia extracts were more effective in the ABTS radical scavenging activity and ferrous ion chelating ability (P 0.05). In conclusion, our results show that the mycelia of A. brasiliensis obtained in submerged cultivation can also be, as its fruiting bodies, valuable sources of antioxidant compounds.

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a b s t r a c tGrape pomace is an agro-industrial residue produced worldwide. The purpose of this study was to identify and quantify the main phenolics present in an hydroalcohlic extract of a Merlot grape pomace and to investigate its effect on the oxidative and inflammatory states of adjuvant-induced arthritic rats. Daily doses of 250 mg of the extract per kg body weight were administered during 23 days. Several oxidative stress indicators in arthritic rats were maintained at their normal or closely normal levels in the plasma, liver and brain by the treatment. Additionally, the grape pomace also showed significant antiinflammatory effects. From the 25 phenolics identified in the grape pomace extract the most abundant ones were catechin and catechin derivatives, which are possibly the most important antioxidant agents. The results suggest a potential applicability of the Merlot grape pomace hydroalcoholic extract in the improvement of the oxidative and inflammatory states in arthritic patients.