Abstract
Usnic acid contents in acetone extracts of 31 samples of lichen Parmelia flexilis collected from different altitudes were identified using thin layer chromatography (TLC) and determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The usnic acid content varied in between highest 5.13% to lowest 1.66% in oven dried (80 °C) lichen samples. The species collected from lower altitudes all show high levels of usnic acid. The negative relationship between usnic acid and altitude was obtained. Statistically, it is revealed that there is a significant difference between average percentages of usnic acid in lichen samples with varying altitudes (p < 0.05). Beside these, the precipitation averages of the regions where the species have been collected were linked with the content of usnic acid. It is clear that lichens from the regions receiving the highest precipitation produced lower amounts of usnic acid. The results suggest that the production of secondary metabolite in lichens is altered due to the climatic variables like temperature and precipitation at different altitude gradients.
Highlights
According to climate scientists, a long-term change in the earth’s climate is likely to continue over this century and beyond
The quantity of secondary metabolite usnic acid produced by lichen collected from different regions of Kaskiof district, Nepal,metabolite is estimated usnic by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)
The quantity secondary acid produced by lichen collected from different of usnic acid had a significantly negative relationship with altitude
Summary
A long-term change in the earth’s climate is likely to continue over this century and beyond. Understanding and predicting the responses of climate change is essential to long-term conservation strategy [1]. Research to examine the species response to climate change would draw complementary data sets from observations and functional analyses, i.e., changed species interaction and chemical compositions. Global climate change conditions often alter plant chemical composition, which in turn can affect food and fodder quality and decomposition rates [2]. These alterations in the chemical composition of plants grown under the current climate can provide significant information concerning the impact of climate change on synthesis of secondary metabolites. It is pertinent to investigate the effects of temperature and precipitation on production of secondary metabolites in plants
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
