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Studies on chemical composition and in vitro antibacterial activity of solvent extracts of lichen Ramalina hossei Vain. (Ramalinaceae)

K.S.Vinayaka, T.R.Prashith Kekuda, D.Swathi, S.V.Praveen Kumar

Lichen compounds are also known to show some biological activities against microorganisms. The present paper describes the extraction and antibacterial activity of various solvent extracts of lichen Ramalina hossei Vain. (Ramalinaceae), against Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria. The dried and powdered lichenmaterialwas extractedwith solvents namely methanol, chloroform and petroleum ether and the solvent extracts were subjected to antibacterial activity using Kirby Bauer method. Chemical tests revealed the presence of Usnic acid and sekikaic acid aggregates. The extracts were found to possess more activity against Gram positive bacteria than Gram negative bacteria. Among solvent extracts, methanol extract showed more inhibition of test bacteria than others. From the results, it could be concluded that the lichen selected for the study possess active antimicrobial principles. The results are in justification with the folkloric uses of lichen extracts.