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Plants are phytochemical hubs containing antioxidants, essential for normal plant functioning and adaptation to environmental cues and delivering beneficial properties for human health. Therefore, knowledge on the antioxidant potential of different plant species and their nutraceutical and pharmaceutical properties is of utmost importance. Exploring this scientific research field provides fundamental clues on (1) plant stress responses and their adaptive evolution to harsh environmental conditions and (2) (new) natural antioxidants with a functional versatility to prevent and treat human pathologies. These natural antioxidants can be valorized via plant-derived foods and products. Cuba contains an enormously rich plant biodiversity harboring a great antioxidant potential. Besides opening new avenues for the implementation of sustainable agroecological practices in crop production, it will also contribute to new strategies to preserve plant biodiversity and simultaneously improve nature management policies in Cuba. This review provides an overview on the beneficial properties of antioxidants for plant protection and human health and is directed to the valorization of these plant antioxidants, emphasizing the need for biodiversity conservation.

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Introduction: There has been an upsurge of interest in mushrooms, such as Pleurotus species, as an important source of bioactive compounds. Mycelia-submerged culture represents a promising approach to search new safe and healthy myco-products with standardized quality in addition to mushroom fruiting bodies. Methods: The study examined the in vitro antimicrobial, antitumor and antioxidant activities of a hotwater extract from Pleurotus sp. mycelium. The antimicrobial activity was screened through the activation of the microbial autolytic system of four bacteria and four yeast strains. The anti-proliferative effects on NB4 human leukemia cells were measured by flow-cytometry analyses. The antioxidant activity was investigated by the scavenging of DPPH and ABTS radicals, the reducing power and the inhibition of lipid peroxidation. Results: The extract activated the microbial autolytic system of eight strains: 7 autolyzing strains with intensity values (Is) ranging from 2.7% in Candida sp. to 36.1% in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Thus, the microbial autolytic system of the strains tested (including Gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria as well as yeasts) could be activated in vitro by mycelial extract. Pleurotus extract reduced the viability of NB4 leukemia cells, particularly at the concentration of 200 μg/mL to 82% compared to control cells, and induced apoptosis demonstrated by an increase in annexin V-FITC+ cells (25% at 200 μg/mL). At 10 mg/mL, the extract showed the most potent scavenging effects for DPPH and ABTS radicals (96% and 55%, respectively) and the inhibition of lipid peroxidation (52%). The mushroom extract at 5 mg/ mL manifested reducing power of 1.105. Although carbohydrates (76.8%, w/w) appear to be the most important bioactive compounds, secondary metabolites, like phenolics, would also contribute to the antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-proliferative activities. Conclusion: The hot-water extract obtained from Pleurotus mycelium, in light of its in vitro antimicrobial, antitumor and antioxidant effects could be considered a good candidate for developing nutraceuticals and for designing innovative myco-therapeutics and phytocosmetics applications.

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