Abstract
The present study provides new data concerning the chemical characterisation of Physcia mediterranea Nimis, a rare Mediterranean species belonging to the family Physciaceae. The phytochemical screening was carried out using GC-MS, HPLC-ESI-MS-MS, and NMR techniques. Hot extraction of n-hexane was carried out, followed by separation of the part insoluble in methanol: wax (WA-hex), from the part soluble in methanol (ME-hex). GC-MS analysis of the ME-hex part revealed the presence of methylbenzoic acids such as sparassol and atraric acid and a diterpene with a kaurene skeleton which has never been detected before in lichen species. Out of all the compounds identified by HPLC-ESI-MS-MS, sixteen compounds are common between WA-hex and ME-hex. Most are aliphatic fatty acids, phenolic compounds and depsides. The wax part is characterised by the presence of atranorin, a depside of high biological value. Proton 1H and carbon 13C NMR have confirmed its identification. Atranol, chloroatranol (depsides compound), Ffukinanolide (sesquiterpene lactones), leprolomin (diphenyl ether), muronic acid (triterpenes), and ursolic acid (triterpenes) have also been identified in ME-hex. The results suggested that Physcia mediterranea Nimis is a valuable source of bioactive compounds that could be useful for several applications as functional foods, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals.
Highlights
Introduction4th century BC by Theophraste [1]
From the Greek word, “leikhen” lichen was first used to designate a plant in the4th century BC by Theophraste [1]
Tebib (Sector Oum tboul) on the rock, at an altitude of 120 m above sea level, coordiThe saxicolous lichen specimen Physcia mediterranea Nimis was collected at Ain Tebib nate 36◦ 490 0900 N; 08◦ 310 3300 E in June 2017 (Figure 7)
Summary
4th century BC by Theophraste [1] This small organism has been integrated into the fungal kingdom and results from the symbiotic association of a fungus called mycobiont and a green alga or a cyanobacterium called photobiont [2,3]. The symbiosis gives lichens a specific structure and reproduction to each constituent alone. Unlike higher plants, they have no root, stem, or leaf, but a rudimentary vegetative apparatus: the thallus [5]. They have no root, stem, or leaf, but a rudimentary vegetative apparatus: the thallus [5] They grow on a wide variety of substrates including soil, bark, bare rock surfaces, leaves of vascular plants, barnacle shells, and other lichens [4]
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