Abstract

Xylaria species are among the underutilized mycoresources with potential for producing secondary metabolites. Optimization of submerged culture conditions is essential to enhance the production and facilitate bioactivity evaluation. This study aimed to optimize the submerged culture conditions of three wild Xylaria spp. isolates (Xylaria hypoxylon strain 1), Xylaria striata, and Xylaria hypoxylon strain 2) collected from selected areas in Nueva Ecija, and to assess the anti-inflammatory and anti-neurodegenerative activities using their mycelial ethanol extracts. Among the indigenous media, coconut water was the most effective for all the three isolates, producing the highest mycelial biomass. Optimal pH conditions differed among the isolates. A pH range of 5.0–6.5 resulted in the highest mycelial biomass of X. hypoxylon strain 1 (445 mg 100 mL-1) and X. hypoxylon strain 2 (388 mg mL-1), whereas X. striata (648 mg 100 mL-1) produced maximum biomass at pH 6.0. The optimal temperature range for the growth of the three Xylaria isolates was 30–32°C. An agitation rate of 100 rpm significantly enhanced biomass production compared with static condition (P ≤ 0.05). Illumination conditions also influenced growth. X. hypoxylon strain 1 (646 mg 100 mL-1) and X. hypoxylon strain 2 (603 mg 100 mL-1) yielded the highest mycelial biomass under alternating light-dark cycles, whereas X. striata (704 mg mL-1) produced the highest biomass under continuous light exposure. The mycelial extracts of Xylaria isolates exhibited cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitory activity, X. hypoxylon strain 2 showing the highest inhibition for COX-1 (36%) and COX-2 (31%). However, no significant acetylcholinesterase activity was observed at 10 ppm.