Isolation, identification and applications of Schizophyllum commune ns29: A Chambal ravine soil isolate

Schizophyllum commune is one of the versatile and important mushroom funguses, used in numerous applications. This study explored the occurrence and molecular identification of Schizophyllum commune in ravine soils and their potential applications with pharmaceutical importance. During cultivation studies the mushroom isolate exhibited moderate growth in used compost. The fungal isolate produces alkaloids, flavonoids and vitamin C which are useful in various applications, Fe metal Chelation and DPPH free radical scavenging activities were also investigated. The maximum Fe metal chelation activity was 69.32% whereas the maximum inhibition of free radical was 41.86%. Extracellular bioactive molecules of this strain under stationary phase were identified by Gas chromatography Mass Spectroscopy (GCMS). Polysiloxanes are the major compounds out of which cyclohexasiloxane is the major contributor with 57.17% of total. Through this study it could be concluded that the isolated fungal strain Schizophyllum commune ns29 has many medicinal properties that could be a base for further studies and cyclohexasiloxane made this isolated industrial potable because it is used in various cosmetic formulations.