Saudi Journal of Biomedical Research (SJBR)
Volume-11 | Issue-02 | 64-67
Original Research Article
Antibacterial and Antioxidant Properties of the Lichens Bulbothrix isidiza (Nyl.) Hale and Parmotrema reticulatum (Taylor) M. Choisy
Sonia Anna Zachariah, Anakha Sudharsanan, R Jayalakshmi, Anitha Jose, Salvy Thomas
Published : Feb. 27, 2026
Abstract
Lichens, a symbiotic partnership between fungi and algae, possess a remarkable array of biological properties. This study explored the antibacterial and antioxidant potential of extracts from two lichen species: Bulbothrix isidiza and Parmotrema reticulatum. The disc diffusion method revealed promising antibacterial activity in both lichen extracts against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Notably, the ethyl acetate extract of B. isidiza and the ethanol extract of P. reticulatum exhibited the strongest inhibitory effects. The DPPH free radical scavenging assay confirmed antioxidant activity in both lichen extracts, with scavenging activity increasing with extract concentration. These findings suggest the potential for these lichens as sources of natural antimicrobials and antioxidants. Further research is necessary to identify the bioactive compounds responsible for these activities and assess their potential therapeutic applications.