Evaluation of the Antimicrobial Activity of the Acetone Extract of the Lichen Ramalina farinacea and its (+)-Usnic Acid, Norstictic Acid, and Protocetraric Acid Constituents

Abstract

The acetone extract of the lichen Ramalina farinacea and its (+)-usnic acid constituent showed antimicrobial activity against Bacillus subtilis, Listeria monocytogenes, Proteus vulgaris, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus faecalis, Yersinia enterocolitica, Candida albicans, and Candida glabrata. Norstictic acid was active against Aeromonas hydrophila as well as the above microorganisms except Yersinia enterocolitica. Protocetraric acid showed activity only against the tested yeasts Candida albicans and Candida glabrata. The MIC values of the extract as well as of the three substances were determined. No antifungal activity of the acetone extract has been observed against ten filamentous fungi.

HPLC Analysis of Usnic Acid in SomeRamalina. Species from Anatolia and Investigation of their Antimicrobial Activities

“…All the tested extracts showed antibacterial properties, bioactivity being in the order EtOH > n-hexane > CHCl 3 > water extract (Esimone & Adikwu, 1999). Also, Tay et al (2004) evaluated the acetone extract of the lichen Ramalina farinacea in Turkey and showed antimicrobial activity against B. subtilis, Listeria monocytogenes, P. vulgaris, S. aureus, Streptococcus faecalis, Yersinia enterocolitica, Candida albicans, and C. glabrata. They demonstrated that (þ)-usnic acid, a constituent of Ramalina farinacea, is the major antimicrobial agent in this lichen (Tay et al, 2004).…”

“…Also, Tay et al (2004) evaluated the acetone extract of the lichen Ramalina farinacea in Turkey and showed antimicrobial activity against B. subtilis, Listeria monocytogenes, P. vulgaris, S. aureus, Streptococcus faecalis, Yersinia enterocolitica, Candida albicans, and C. glabrata. They demonstrated that (þ)-usnic acid, a constituent of Ramalina farinacea, is the major antimicrobial agent in this lichen (Tay et al, 2004). When the inhibition zones obtained from R. farinaceae in this study were compared with Ramalina species in our study, maximum antibacterial efficiency among all Ramalina species in Turkey was exhibited by Ramalina farinaceae.…”

Determination of genotoxic, antigenotoxic and cytotoxic potential of the extract from lichen Cetraria aculeata (Schreb.) Fr. in vitro

“…Several lichen extracts and their compounds have been used in traditional medicine in Europe, Asia and Northern America (Richardson, 1988;Tilford, 1997). Scientific investigation of the biological activity of lichen extracts and their constituents includes in vitro and in vivo studies on antimicrobial, immunostimulating, antioxidative, antiulcerogenic, analgesic/antipyretic and antiinflammatory properties of lichens (Kumar and Müller, 1999;Huneck, 2001;Ingolfsdottir, 2002;Türk et al, 2003;Tay et al, 2004;Yilmaz et al, 2004;Halici et al, 2005;Behera et al, 2006;Choudhary et al, 2005).…”

Cavity Nest Materials of Northern Flying Squirrels, <em>Glaucomys sabrinus</em>, and North American Red Squirrels, <em>Tamiasciurus hudsonicus</em>, in a Secondary Hardwood Forest of Southern Ontario

“…Antiparasitic effects have been described for several species of lichen. Hayward and Rosentreter (1994) found that G. sabrinus selected lichens containing the secondary compounds norstictic acid, fumarprotocetraric acid, vulpinic acid and atranorin, all of which have been attributed with varying degrees of antiparasitic or antimicrobial effects (Giez et al 1994;Tay et al 2004;Yilmaz et al 2004). These various studies support the possibility that the use of T. occidentalis, as well as several lichen species, by G. sabrinus and T. hudsonicus may be a behavioural adaptation for ectoparasite control in the nest environment.…”