Comparative Evaluation of Fruiting Bodies and Cultured Mycelial Extracts of Morchella importuna for Pharmacological

Objective: This study aimed to investigate and compare the pharmacological potential of methanolic extracts from fruiting bodies (SSE003-77FB) and mycelial biomass (SSE003-77MC) of Morchella importuna M. Kuo, O'Donnell & TJ Volk 2012, isolated from Yalova province, Türkiye. The primary goal was to assess their total phenolic and flavonoid content, as well as antioxidant activity, to evaluate the biotechnological relevance of cultured mycelia as a sustainable alternative to wild-harvested mushrooms. Methods: Fruiting bodies and mycelial biomass were dried, powdered, and subjected to methanolic extraction. Total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) were quantified using Folin–Ciocalteu and aluminum chloride assays, respectively. Antioxidant potential was assessed via DPPH radical scavenging and CUPRAC assays. All measurements were performed in triplicate, and statistical significance was determined using one-way ANOVA (p < 0.05). Results: SSE003-77FB showed significantly higher total phenolic (1121.79 ± 54.14 mg GAE/kg) and flavonoid contents (1260.06 ± 47.35 mg CE/kg), as well as stronger antioxidant capacity (DPPH: 3033.33 ± 71.84 mg TE/kg; CUPRAC: 1227.89 ± 37.14 mg TE/kg) compared with SSE003-77MC. However, mycelial extracts retained substantial bioactivity (TPC: 243.85 ± 41.45 mg GAE/kg; TFC: 715.55 ± 27.62 mg CE/kg; DPPH: 1012.92 ± 99.96 mg TE/kg; CUPRAC: 528.20 ± 13.10 mg TE/kg), supporting their potential as sustainable, standardized, and season-independent bioresources for pharmaceutical formulations, functional food development, and future biotechnological exploitation under controlled cultivation conditions. Conclusion: These findings underscore the pharmacological relevance of M. importuna mycelial biomass, suggesting that in vitro cultivation can provide reproducible, sustainable, and season-independent sources of bioactive metabolites for pharmaceutical and nutraceutical. applications. This comparative approach offers novel insights into the valorization of cultured fungal biomass as a viable replacement for fruiting body harvesting.