Morpho-anatomical and biochemical studies on some selected edible Lichens of Kumaun Himalaya
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Date
2018-08
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G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar - 263145 (Uttarakhand)
Abstract
Since the beginning of Egyptian and Chinese civilizations, lichens are incessantly explored in folklores as medicines in different parts of the world. In the present study, ten lichen species were selected and collected from natural habitat (Narayan Ashram, Kumaun Himalaya, Uttarakhand) to assess their morpho-anatomical features, antioxidants and antimicrobial potential, mineral contents and biochemical and chemical parameters. All the selected lichen species possessed biochemicals such as fats, flavonoids, phenols and tannins. Interestingly, alkaloids are completely absent in all the solvents (acetone, ethanol and methanol) extracts in all the 10 species. The extraction yield (%) in different species and solvents is comparatively higher in soxhlet extraction than in cold extraction. The yield (%) is maximum in R. conduplicans, D. vellerum and H. nepalense, respectively in acetone, ethanol and methanol. The maximum values in acetone, ethanol and methanol in different species in different parameters are in : D. longissima, H. nepalense and P. polydactylon TAA (μg AE/mg); D. longissima, D. longissima and T. subuliformis DPPH (%); P. reticulatum, F. caperata and P. polydactylon reducing power (nm); and H. cirrhatum, F. caperata and F. caperata FCA (%), respectively. The total phenol (mg GA/g) and flavonoid (mg QE/g) contents were maximum in R. conduplicans (97.31±2.385), F. caperata (108.94±2.279) and F. caperata (121.97±1.120); and D. vellerum (28.39±4.884), F. Caperata (32.20±1.196) and T. subuliformis(18.93±1.428) in acetone, ethanol and methanol, respectively. The SOD (U/mg), POD (U/mg) and CAT (U/mg) activities were higher in P. polydactylon (9.86±0.04), P. Reticulatum (18.20±0.388) and R. conduplicans (21.09±0.176), respectively than in other species. Maximum tannin (μg TA/g) and o-dihydroxy phenol (mg CE/g) content was in H. nepalense (16.197±0.206 and 13.459±0.690, respectively). Among the species, the protein content (mg/ mg dry wt.) is maximum in P. reticulatum (1.562 ±0.010) and minimum in F. caperata (0.474±0.003). Comparatively higher mineral content is obtained in H. nepalense (iron - 3.06±0.016, zinc - 3.63±0.062 and copper - 1.67±0.031); F. caperata (calcium - 9.84±0.040); and T. subuliformis (manganese - 0.82±0.004). The MIC (mg/ml) was maximum in P. reticulatum (1.87, 3.75 and 1.87 for B. ceraus, B. licheniformis, B. megaterium, respectively); H. nepalense (3.75, S. aureus); P.polydactylon (7.5, E. coli); while, D. longissima, T. subuliformis and U. subflorida (15, R. solanacearum). The FTIR analysis in different species showed the peaks between 1070 - 3800 cm-1 indicating the presences of compounds like free hydroxyl-alcohol, phenols, primary, secondary amines, amides, etc. Further, GCMS analysis revealed that the number of compounds in different species ranged from 28 (F. caperata) to 79 (H. nepalense) and the important compounds are: usnic, evernic, vulpinic, benzoi, octadecanoic acids; phytol, squalene, vitamins, and etc., possessing anticancerous, anti-inflamatory, antimicrobial properties. Among the species, H. nepalense and F. caperata are more potent than other species. Thus, the selected lichen species in the present study has a potential natural source of antioxidants, antimicrobial and biochemical compounds and can be used in nutraceutical and pharmaceutical industries.
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