Usnea Sp Research Articles

Exploration of Lichenes in the Mutis Mount Area, Noepesu Village, West Miomaffo District

This study aims to explore and identify the types of Lichenes that exist at the Mutis Mount Area, Noepesu Village, West Miomaffo District, and the Biology Education Laboratory, University of Timor. This research was conducted for 6 months starting from May-October 2022. This research is descriptive qualitative research. Sampling used a purposive sampling method. The collected Lichenes were identified based on their characteristics using the determination key and then matched with the photo collection. Morphological observation of lichenes was conducted at the Biology Education Laboratory, University of Timor using a microscope. The result of observations and collections based on this research conducted in the Mutis Mount area found 29 species of Lichenes with 12 families, the species found were Septennium azureum, Parmotrema tinctorum, Parmotrema perlatum, Parmelia sulcate, Parmelia sp, Flavoparmelia afternoondians, Usnea hirta, Usnea sp 1, Pyxine subcinerea, Cryptothecia sp, Dirinaria sp, Lepraria Lobificans, Lepraria incana, Lepraria sp 1, Hydropunctaria maura, Candelariella sp, Arthonia ilicina, Arthonia Radiata, Arthonia Clemens, Graphis Scipta, Graphis sp1, Graphis sp2, Graphis sp3, Graphis sp4, Graphis sp5, Graphis sp6, Ramalina farinaceae, Cryptothechia striata, and Bacidia insularis. Lichenes were found in soil, weathered wood, tree trunks, and rocks with thallus morphology, namely Crustose, Foliose, Fructicose, and Squamulose.

Antioxidant Activity of Usnic Acid Compound from Methanol Extract of Lichen Usnea sp.

Lichen Usnea sp. is one of the sources of natural bioactive compounds which are currently being developed as medicinal ingredients. The purpose of this study was the isolation and identification of secondary metabolites from methanol extract, toxicity test and antioxidant activity of Usnea sp. Lichen was isolated by maceration using methanol solvent, then separated by liquid-liquid partition and separation using vacuum chromatography. Based on the results of the study, NMR-1D spectral data and FTIR spectrum is the presence of functional groups showed the presence of F15 compound is usnic acid consisting of 18 carbons with 3 carbons from the C=O carbonyl group. The results of the toxicity test showed that all of them were active against Artemia salina L. shrimp larvae with LC50 values of 0.820 µg/mL (Usnea sp.), 1.030 µg/mL (n-hexane), 1.056 µg/mL (ethyl acetate), and 1.236 µg/mL (methanol extract). The results of the antioxidant activity test showed that the inhibitory activity of usnic acid isolate was very active with an IC50 value of 11.696 µg/mL. Meanwhile, methanol extracts and ethyl acetate showed antioxidant activity with IC50 values of 18.098 and 26.917 µg/mL, respectively.

Efficacy of Usnea sp. Extracts in Preventing Biofilm Formation by Bacillus Species Isolated from Soaking Liquor Samples

Bacteria forms biofilm to be resistant to antibacterial agents and other unfavorable environment as compared to planktonic bacterial cells. Due to resistance of bacterial biofilms to commonly used antimicrobial agents and adverse effects of these biofilms in different industries, potential natural compounds which can inhibit bacterial biofilms have attracted more attention in recent years. Lichens are known to have unique secondary metabolites with various biological activities including anti-biofilm properties. Therefore, Bacillus toyonensis, Bacillus mojavensis, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Bacillus velezensis, Bacillus cereus, and Bacillus licheniformis, isolated from soak liquor samples in the previous study, were tested for their ability to form biofilm in this study. Biofilm-forming Bacillus species were detected as B. subtilis, B. amyloliquefaciens, and B. velezensis. The anti-biofilm effect of the acetone extracts of Usnea sp. was evaluated at various concentrations against these biofilm-forming isolates. The anti-biofilm effect of acetone extracts of Usnea sp. against B. subtilis and B. amyloliquefaciens was observed at the concentration of 5 µg/mL by inhibition ratios of 62.75% and 72.72%, respectively. In addition, biofilm formation of B. velezensis was inhibited by the treatment with 1.25 µg/mL extracts at a 62.69% inhibition rate. Biofilm formations of B. amyloliquefaciens and B. velezensis were also suppressed by the extracts at varying percentages of inhibition ranging between 10.11-43.69% and 21.25-46.35%, respectively. This study may provide an alternative approach to overcome the biofilm formation and bacterial resistance to the antibacterial agents in the leather industry.

Ethnomedicinal Properties and Distribution of Macrolichens in Mt. Apo Natural Park, Davao, Philippines

The distribution of epiphytic macrolichens in the montane forest of Mt. Apo Natural Park was investigated. The overall objective of the study was to determine the species richness, composition, taxonomy and ecology of the macrolichen species; recognize their medicinal properties and identify the conservation status of the species as rare, endemic and endangered. Transect method and 8 randomly quadrat plots were sampled in a 20 x 20 m plot in a 12 hectares of the montane forest identified as lower and upper montane. Taxonomic treatments of the collected macrolichens species were performed in the field and in the laboratory.The curren study revealed 117 macrolichens species belonging to 19 genera and 9 families. Comparison of the taxa were based upon observable characters such as the notable growth forms and mirohabitats distribution of species that are closely epiphytic on tree trunks is represented by family Lobariaceae. Local assessment further revealed 2 critically endangered lichens species namely: Lobaria retigera (Bory) Trevisan and Pseudocyphellaria aurata (Ach.) and 1 species nearly threatened, Usnea sp. Of the collected species, 8 macrolichens were noted to have ethnobotanically recorded with medicinal properties. The macrolichens distributions in the park suggests that environmental and ecological interactions within and among the species play an important role in the dynamics of the forest ecosystem. It is therefore recommended that a stronger effort in the documentation and its floristic analysis on their occurrence to ensure their survival and diversity. Keywords : conservation status, ethnobotany, floristic, taxonomic characters

Antioxidant activity-guided isolation of usnic acid and diffractaic acid compounds from lichen genus Usnea sp.

Antioxidant activity-guided isolation of usnic acid and diffractaic acid compounds from lichen genus Usnea sp.

Cytotoxic Activities of Extracts and Isolated Compounds of Some Potential Sumatran Medicinal Plants against MCF-7 and HSC-3 Cell Lines

In continuation of our study of Sumatran plants and the bioactivity of their constituents, Stereocaulon halei Lamb (Stereocaulaceae) was extracted and isolated to obtain atranorin ( 1 ), lobaric acid ( 6 ), and methyl- β -orcinol carboxylate ( 9 ). We also prepared methanolic extracts of some Sumatran medicinal plants, i.e. Alpinia denticulata, Alpinia malaccensis, Alpinia submutica, Curcuma zedoaria, Centella asiatia , Mangifera indica, Piper crocatum, Mussaenda frondosa , together with previously isolated compounds, i.e. crocatin A ( 2 ) and crocatin B ( 3 ) from P. crocatum , curcumin ( 4 ) from Curcuma longa , demethoxymatteucinol ( 5 ) from Sphaerostephanos polycarpus , mangiferin ( 7 ) from M. indica , methyl caffeate ( 8 ) from Balanophora elongata , tiliroside ( 10 ) from Guazuma ulmifolia , and usnic acid from Usnea sp ( 11 ). These extracts and compounds were tested for their cytotoxicity against MCF-7 and HSC-3 cell lines by MTT assay (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide). It was found that the IC 50 value of atranorin ( 1 ), lobaric acid ( 6 ), methyl- β -orcinol carboxylate ( 9 ), and methanolic extract of A. submutica towards the MCF-7 cell line was 208.20 µM, 172.05 µM, 382.60 µM and 70.95 µg/mL, respectively. The IC 50 value of lobaric acid ( 6 ) and methyl-β-orcinol carboxylate ( 9 ) against the HSC-3 cell line was 88.92 µM and 260.09 µM, respectively. The other extracts did not show significant cytotoxicity.

Elemental composition of Usnea sp lichen from Potter Peninsula, 25 de Mayo (King George) Island, Antarctica

Several pollutants, which include metals, are present in the Antarctic atmosphere, snow, marine and terrestrial organisms. This work reports the elements incorporated by Usnea sp thalli in Potter Peninsula, 25 de Mayo (King George) Island, South Shetlands, Antarctica. Geological origin was analyzed as possible sources of elements. For this purpose, correlations were done using a geochemical tracer, principal component analysis and enrichment factors were computed. Lithophile elements from particulate matter were present in most of the sampling sites. Bromine, Se and Hg showed the highest enrichment factors suggesting other sources than the particulate matter. Mercury values found in Usnea sp were in the same range as those reported for Deception Island (South Shetlands) and remote areas from the Patagonia Andes.

Nitrogen tolerance in the lichen Xanthoria parietina: the sensitive side of a resistant species.

To investigate the mechanisms of nitrogen (N) tolerance in lichens, we examined the physiological responses to increased N availability in different functional groups. Thalli of the nitrophytic Xanthoria parietina (L.) Th.Fr. previously grown both in an N-poor environment (~2kgNha-1year-1) and in an N-rich environment (~52kgNha-1year-1) were compared with the oligotrophic species Evernia prunastri (L.) Ach. and Usnea sp. Lichens were submitted to ammonium treatments. Maximum PSII efficiency, redistribution of the ions between the intra- and extracellular compartments and potassium and magnesium concentrations were the parameters used to check for the effects of N supply. The buffering capacity of the lichen extracts was also determined in untreated lichen thalli to check if different lichen behaviours were due to their ability to maintain the pH. The results showed a more similar response between X. parietina from the N-poor environment and the N-sensitive species than between X. parietina from the N-poor and N-rich environments, suggesting that X. parietina achieved N-tolerance after long-term exposure to N-rich environment. These results are important in understanding the effects of chronic ammonium pollution on one of the most sensitive components of the ecosystem, linking physiological response and ecological consequences.

Bioindication of volatile elements emission by the Puyehue–Cordón Caulle (North Patagonia) volcanic event in 2011

The emission of volatile pollutants from the volcanic eruption of the Puyehue–Cordón Caulle complex (North Patagonia Andean Range) that started in June 4th, 2011, was investigated by bioindication means with the epyphytic fruticose lichen Usnea sp. The elemental composition of pooled samples made up with 10 lichen thalli were analysed by Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis. Eleven sampling sites were selected within the impacted region at different distance from the volcanic source. Five sites were selected as they were already sampled in a previous study prior to the eruption. Two other new sampling sites were selected from outside the impacted zone to provide non-impacted baseline sites.The elements associated with the lichen incorporation of particulate matter (PM) of geological origin were identified by linear correlation with a geochemical tracer (Sm concentrations). The elements associated with PM uptake were Ce, Eu, Fe, Hf, La, Lu, Na, Nd, Sb, Sc, Se, Ta, Tb, Th, U, and Yb. Arsenic and Cs concentrations showed contributions exceeding the PM fraction in sites near the volcanic centre, also higher than the baseline concentrations, which could be associated with permanent emissions from the geothermal system of the Puyehue–Cordón Caulle complex. The lichen concentrations of Ba, Ca, Co, Hg, K, Rb, Sr, and Zn were not associated with the PM, not showing higher concentrations in the sites nearby the volcanic source or respect to the baseline values either. Therefore, there is no indication of the emission of volatile forms of these elements in the lichen records. The lichen records only identified Br volatile emissions associated with the Puyehue–Cordón Caulle complex eruption in 2011.

Biomonitoring and spatial variability of sulphur dioxide in urban air (Portuguese)

Lichens are recognized as biological indicators of environmental pollution and also biomonitors of air quality due to their response capacity when exposed to polluted environments especially toxic gases such as sulfur dioxide (SO2) carbon dioxide (CO2) heavy metals fluorides ozone nitrogen oxides and peroxyacetyl nitrate. This work evaluated the sulfur dioxide concentration of in the air in Santa Maria city using lichen kind Usnea as biomarker. Extracts including their substrates were collected in an area without the influence of pollutants and exposed in regions of the city with intense automotive traffic. This procedure was repeated throughout four seasons of one year. After each exposure the analysis of sulfur accumulated was done using the turbidimetric technique. The Usnea sp species showed to be good for monitoring of the atmospheric sulfur dioxide. In spite of the fuels commercialized today show low pollutants concentration the increase in the number of automotive vehicles in the urban center in Santa Maria city contributes significantly to the high concentration of sulfur dioxide in the atmospheric air.

Comparative biomonitoring of atmospheric quality in five zones of Córdoba city (Argentina) employing the transplanted lichen Usnea sp.

The lichen Usnea sp. was transplanted to five zones plus a control one in the city of Córdoba, with different levels of industrial and traffic pollution. The chlorophyll a+b, hydroperoxy conjugated dienes, malondialdehyde concentration, chlorophyll b/chlorophyll a, phaeophytin a/chlorophyll a, DW/FW ratio and sulfur accumulation were determined. A pollution index (PI) was calculated to compare the air quality of the zones biomonitored. It was observed that the content of chlorophylls a+b increased parallel to the level of pollutants emitted by traffic, but at the same time, there was an increase in the degradation of chlorophyll a. These results indicate that chlorophylls would be affected by air pollutants emitted by traffic and as a compensatory mechanism the lichen would increase their synthesis. Significant differences were observed in hydroperoxy conjugated dienes concentration and sulfur content in samples transplanted to high traffic level sampling points. At the same time, a higher sulfur content was observed in lichens transplanted to sampling points located in downtown, in neighboring areas or with high industrial level, suggesting an additive effect of industrial with traffic pollutants. PI results allow us to differentiate areas with different air quality in the city, the highest pollution levels being observed in the downtown area with high traffic. Two other areas near downtown with high traffic are also in this category. Except for downtown and a far away zone with high industrial density, the other areas showed higher PIs at high traffic sites. The lowest PIs were observed in the control zone and at the low traffic sampling points.

Novel d-glucans obtained by dimethyl sulfoxide extraction of the lichens Letharia vulpina, Actinogyra muehlenbergii, and an Usnea SP

Extraction of certain lichens with cold dimethyl sulfoxide provided a β- d-glucan virtually free of contaminating α- d-glucan and galactomannan. Applied to Letharia vulpina, the method gave β- d-glucan, and extraction of the residue with hot water followed by cooling gave α- d-glucan. From Usnea sp. a β- d-glucan was isolated, but little α- d-glucan was present. Extraction of Actinogyra muehlenbergii provided a (1→6)-linked β- d-glucopyranan containing one acetyl group for every 8–9 glucosyl units, being present almost exclusively as monosubstituent at O-2, O-3, and O-4.

Structural diversity of d-galacto- d-mannan components isolated from lichens having ascomycetous mycosymbionts

d-Galacto- d-mannan fractions were isolated from six common Canadian lichens having ascomycetous mycosymbionts, namely Parmelia sulcata, Stereocaulon paschale, Peltigera aphthosa, Letharia vulpina, Actinogyra muehlenbergii, and an Usnea sp. Their chemical structures were compared with each other and those of six species previously investigated; only Parmelia sulcata and Cetraria islandica (Iceland moss) contained galactomannans of closely related structures. The structural diversity depends on substituents on the (1→6)-linked α- d-mannopyranosyl main-chains. The side-chains occur as monosubstituents at O-2 or O-4 or as disubstituents at O-2,4. Frequently, the main-chain units are unsubstituted. Thus far, eight types of substitution have been recognized ( 1–8) in which β- d-Gal p is linked (1→4), α- d-Gal p and α- d-Man p (1→2), and β- d-Gal f (1→4).

2′- O-demethylpsoromic acid from usnea sp.

2′- O-demethylpsoromic acid from usnea sp.

SOME EFFECTS OF SULPHITE ON PHOTOSYNTHESIS IN LICHENS

SUMMARYDetails of the effect of sulphite on H14CO3‐ fixation in the light were studied. The reduction of fixation by sulphite was rapid, taking place within 30 min of contact with the lichen. Parmelia physodes recovered in 24 h from almost total reduction of fixation caused by 1 h treatment with 0.4 mM sulphite but Usnea sp. did not. Studies with [35S] sulphite indicated that sulphite was taken up nonlinearly with time and that it was bound to protein. Algae isolated from Usnea sp., Parmelia physodes and Lecanora conizaeoides were similar in their response to sulphite, although the intact lichen L. conizaeoides is known to be more resistant. L. conizaeoides did not seem to be resistant to sulphite by causing rapid oxidation of sulphite to sulphate. There was no marked effect of temperature on the concentration of sulphite required to reduce fixation in Usnea sp.