Abstract Detail

Bryological and Lichenological Section/ABLS

Millar, Katherine [1], Crandall-Stotler, Barbara J. [1], Ferreira, Jorge [2].

Antimicrobial Properties of Three Liverworts: Radula obconica, Blasia pusilla, and Pallavicinia lyellii.

Many liverworts possess the ability to deter pathogenic agents such as fungi and bacteria. It is thought that the chemicals liverworts produce in their oil bodies are responsible for this activity. However, few studies have been done to isolate specific compounds of the oil bodies that are biologically active. The purpose of this study was to expand existing knowledge of liverwort biological activity and to isolate the compounds that are responsible for the observed activity. Three species of liverworts, Blasia pusilla, Pallavicinia lyellii, and Radula obconica, were tested for their antimicrobial activity against Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, and Aspergillus niger. Only R. obconica displayed antibacterial activity, and this activity was only against B. subtilis. Several fractions of the R. obconica extract showed antibacterial activity. The most active compounds in these fractions seem to be bibenzyls, compounds characteristic of other Radula species.

1 - Southern Illinois University, Department of Plant Biology, 1125 Lincoln Drive, Carbondale, Illinois, 62901-6509, USA
2 - USDA-ARS, 1224 Airport Road, Beaver, West Virginia, 25813

Keywords:
antibacterial activity
bibenzyls
oil bodies.

Presentation Type: Poster
Session: 32-7
Location: Special Event Center (Cliff Lodge)
Date: Tuesday, August 3rd, 2004
Time: 12:30 PM
Abstract ID:758