The joint action in the bioactivity studies of Antarctic lichen Umbilicaria antarctica: Synergic-biodirected isolation in a preliminary holistic ecological study

Publication date: Available online 28 December 2016 Source:Phytochemistry Letters Author(s): Jose L.G. Galindo, Benito F. García, Ascensión Torres, Juan C.G. Galindo, Joanne G. Romagni, Francisco A. Macías Antarctica is one of the world’s most inaccessible regions. This area is also unique in that it has a terrestrial biota dominated by non-vascular plants, of which lichens and mosses are typically the dominant life-forms. A phytochemical study of Antarctic lichen (Umbilicaria antarctica) collected from maritime Antarctica has been carried out. The hexane, acetone and butanol extracts have been subjected to a preliminary general bioactivity test using wheat etiolated coleoptiles. A chromatographic study of the acetone extract was performed and seven known compounds were isolated. The general bioactivity of the compounds on etiolated wheat coleoptile has been assessed and joint action studies on mixtures of the compounds were carried out − a methodology that may be the way to a holistic approach in the ecological studies of lichens. The results corroborated the activity exhibited by the original fractions, which in turn support the use of this bioassay to determine joint interactions responsible for the bioactivity shown by U. antarctica. Graphical abstract

Source: Phytochemistry Letters - December 28, 2016 Category: Chemistry Source Type: research