Total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity in Muscodor spp. inoculated seedlings of coffee cultivars of Brazil

Abstract

Fungi of the genus Muscodor have received considerable attention for producing volatile and non-volatile organic compounds with biological activity. The objective of this study was to determine the total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity in two coffee cultivars (Catuaí Vermelho and Topázio) inoculated with the endophytic fungi Muscodor coffeanum and Muscodor sp. and in fungal extracts, as well as to characterize the phenolic compounds and trigonelline produced by isolates of Muscodor. Seeds of Coffea arabica (Catuaí Vermelho and Topázio cultivars) were inoculated with twelve fungal isolates and grown in a greenhouse for 24 months. The results showed that the cultivars inoculated with M. coffeanum (CML 4019) had the highest production of total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity. The presence of total phenolic content showed a direct correlation with antioxidant activity. Total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity varied among different Muscodor isolates. The phenolic profile of Muscodor extract determined by HPLCDAD showed the production of catechin, vanillin, and the caffeic, chlorogenic, ferulic, gallic, o-coumaric, p-coumaric, and syringic acids and the alkaloid trigonelline. These endophyte fungi associated with the coffee fruit can improve the quality of the beverage.