| Abstract Detail
Bryological and Lichenological Section/ABLS Cates, Shawn R. [1], Leavitt, Steven D. [1], St. Clair, Larry L. [1], Cates, Rex G. [1]. Activity of Lichen Secondary Chemistry on Pathogenic Bacteria. LICHEN species collected at two locations on and around Boulder Mountain in central Utah were observed to vary in the production of secondary chemicals between lower (2347 m) and upper (3353 m) elevation sites. This study involved developing a method to enhance the solubility of lichen chemicals, and then evaluating the effectiveness of acetone extracts from Rhizoplaca melanophthalma, R. chrysoleuca, Xanthoparmelia chlorochroa, and X. cumberlandia on the pathogenic bacteria Eschericia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. An optical density assay indicated that none of the extracts were inhibitory to E. coli. In fact, extracts from Xanthoparmelia spp. enhanced E. coli growth. Alternatively, all species were inhibitory to S. aureus varying from 37% to 49%, and R. chrysoleuca exhibited the greatest activity. We predicted greater inhibition among the lower elevation lichens because they appeared to be more chemically diverse based on TLC analyses. However, there was no significant difference in activity between extracts among any lichen species collected at lower and upper elevation sites. Studies with vascular plants indicate that extracts active at greater than 40%, when fractionated, may contain fractions active at levels greater than 90%. Future studies include testing for activity against Candida albicans, several cancer cell lines, fractionation studies, cytotoxicity studies, and testing additional lichen species.
Log in to add this item to your schedule
1 - Brigham Young University, Department of Integrative Biology, 401 Widtsoe Building, Provo, Utah, 84602, USA
Keywords:
lichens
pathogenic bacteria
inhibition.
Presentation Type: Oral Paper:Papers for Sections
Session: 53-5
Location: 266/Holt
Date: Tuesday, August 1st, 2006
Time: 3:00 PM
Abstract ID:630 |
