Lichens main features & their applications

Lichens are the symbiotic associated organisms which forms the association between fungus and photosynthetic substances. Their aqueous extract produce vast number of secondary metabolites with varying biological activities including antibiotic, anti-mycobacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, anti-proliferative and cytotoxic effects against various diseases. Lichens can be of following types : Based on the substrate of growing. 01) Corticolous (grows on tree barks), 02) Follicolous (grows on leaves surfaces), 03) Saxicolous (grows on rock surfaces), 04) Terricolous (grows on soil) 05)Musicolous (grows on mosses)

1. Lichens Main Features and Applications Dinithi Vihanga De Silva

2. Content What is lichen? General features of lichen Applications of lichens Examples of the Lichen Applications Example indicating the photobiont and microbiont References

3. What is lichens ? Figure 01 – different types of lichens Lichen is a symbiotic organism composed of a fungus with a photosynthetic partner usually either a green algae or cyanobacterium . ( Jayanthi , S., et al. 2012 . )

4. General features of lichens The major portion of the thallus is occupied by the fungal component and that fungal component produces its own reproductive structures . The algal partner makes the food by the process of photosynthesis. The food diffuses out and is absorbed by the fungal partner . Owing to their symbiotic relationship, lichens can live in variety of habitats and climatic conditions including extreme environments . the lichens can be of following types : Based on the substrate of growing. 01) Corticolous (grows on tree barks), 02) Follicolous (grows on leaves surfaces), 03) Saxicolous (grows on rock surfaces), 04) Terricolous (grows on soil) 05) Musicolous (grows on mosses ) Lichen growth forms are generally visible on surfaces forming grayish, greenish or orange areas. They are classified into three major types depending on their morphology and size. i ) F ruticose ( shrubby ) ii) Foliose ( leaf like ) iii ) Crustose ( like crusts)

5. Crustose are called as micro-lichens & fruticose & foliose lichens are also called as macro-lichens. The lichen’s plant body is called as thallus. Thallus is the vegetative portion and is similar to the vegetative portions of mosses and liverworts . Mycobiont (Ascomycete or Basidiomycete) establishes an intimate symbiotic relationship with phycobiont (green algae or blue green algae). After association, both phycobiont and mycobiont lose tsheir uniqueness and they are known as lichens. Morphologically and physiologically lichens act as a single organism . The reproduction methods of lichens are completely different from fungi and algae. Vegetative reproduction of lichens is through diaspores .The most common diaspores are soredia and isidia . The fungal partner of the lichens reproduces sexually. Sexual reproduction in the lichens is initiated by the production of fruiting bodies followed by formation of spores called as ascospores . Ascospores are resting spores which have the ability to tolerate adverse conditions.

6. Lichens are formed through symbiosis between a fungal and a photosynthetic partner such as algae or cyanobacteria. More than 17,000 species and over 800 lichen products are known to be utilized by mankind eg ., for dying, pollution monitoring, perfumery, floral decorations, as well as for dietary and medicinal purposes ( Ingolfsdottir , 2002 ). Components such as usnic acid are utilized for perfumery and for medicinal purposes ( Huneck , 1999 ). Applications of Lichens

7. The aqueous extract of lichens produce a number of secondary metabolites with varying biological activities including antibiotic, anti-mycobacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antipyretic, anti-proliferative and cytotoxic effects against various diseases. ( ( Jayanthi , S., et al. 2012. ) Secondary metabolites produced by lichens are used to monitor air pollution, food for humans and animals, and also control the biodetoriation problems. It has a potential application in the field of natural dyeing. The drug derived from the secondary metabolites of lichen, usnic acid has a potential effect in cancer therapy due to its antimitotic and antiproliferative action. ( ( Jayanthi , S., et al. 2012. ) The antioxidant property of secondary metabolites plays a major role in treatment of various diseases. This review will summarize the origin, types, secondary metabolites and applications of some lichens .( ( Jayanthi , S., et al. 2012. )

8. Examples of the Lichen Applications Ingredients in Perfumes and Deodorants Antibiotics, Preservatives, and Toxins A Useful Dye and an Interesting Pigment Dyes for Wool and Fabric Lichens Historically Used as Food Pollution and Dehydration Radiation Exposure

9. 01) Ingredients in Perfumes and Deodorants 02) Antibiotics , Preservatives, and Toxins Usnea - natural medicine, Usnea is used as an antibiotic and an anti-inflammatory substance. Usnea is also used in some products as a preservative. The wolf lichen ( Letharia vulpina ) has a bright yellow-green colour & contains a yellow chemical called vulpinic acid, which is poisonous to mammals & used for dye extraction. Lab research shows that vulpinic acid can kill certain kinds of bacteria. Microcystins in Nostoc - That toxins can cause liver damage in humans and other animals when they are sufficiently concentrated. Oakmoss ( Evernia prunastri ) is used to provide scents and fixatives for perfumes. Both essential oils and absolutes are extracted from the oakmoss . Pseudevernia furfuracea is another fruticose lichen used in the perfume industry. The lichen was used to fill the body cavity of Ancient Egyptian mummies. Figure 02- lichen perfumes Figure 03- usnea presavatives

10. 03) A Useful Dye and an Interesting Pigment 04) Dyes for Wool and Fabric Many lichens are a grey colour when they're dry. When a lichen is moistened and absorbs water, however, the algal cells give it a deeper hue . The fungus component is often colourless , but in some cases it contains a pigment that gives the lichen a vivid color. Making wool and fabric dyes from lichens is an ancient process that is still performed today. Litmus Paper- Litmus paper is used as an acid-base indicator. Litmus is a mixture of dyes extracted from specific lichens, especially Rosella tinctoria . Litmus paper is made from filter paper that has been treated with the dye. Natural Sunscreens- Xanthoria parietina is a foliose lichen which contains a yellow pigment called parietin . This pigment absorbs ultraviolet radiation, acting as a sunscreen to protect the algal cells inside the lichen. figure 04- Xanthoria parietina lichen Figure 05- lichen dyes

11. 05) Lichens Historically Used as Food A few species have been eaten by humans Reindeer moss, or Cladonia rangiferina , is a fruticose lichen that is a staple food of reindeer and caribou Some groups boiled specific species of lichens and before eating they mix different kinds of berries etc. Figure 06- Lichen bread and edible lichen Umbilicaria esculenta is a black foliose lichen that grows on rocks. It has been used in Asian cuisine after being fried. In North America, they were used as an emergency food by early explorers after being properly prepared.

12. Lichens are a small group of curious plants of composite nature made up of two different organisms, 01) an alga ( phycobiont : in Latin phycos -alga; bios-life) 02) a fungus ( mycobiont : in Greek mycos -fungus; bios-life). Algal and fungal components live in a truly intimate symbiotic relationship. This true nature of lichens was first identified by Simon Schwendener . He named the algal component as Phycobiont and the fungal component as Mycobiont .

13. Figure 07 – Hypogymnia physodes lichen photograph captured on 18/07/2020 , location – Mandaram Nuwara , Sri Lanka Phycobiont - Lecanorales Mycobiont – Ascomycota Type - Foliose

14. Phycobiont - Lecanorales Mycobiont – Ascomycota Figure 08 – Parmelia sulcata lichen photograph Captured on 19/07/2020 : Piduruthalagala forest reserve,Sri Lanka Type - foliose

15. Phycobiont – Verrucariales Mycobiont – Ascomycota Figure 09 – Endocarpon pusillum lichen Type - crustose

16. References: Hale, M.E., 1967. The biology of lichens. The biology of lichens . Lisci , M., Monte, M. and Pacini , E., 2003. Lichens and higher plants on stone: a review. International Biodeterioration & Biodegradation, 51(1), pp.1-17 . Jayanthi , S., Priya , P., Monica Devi, D. and Benila Smily , J.M., 2012. Lichens: Origin, types, secondary metabolites and applications. J. Acad. Ind. Res, 1, pp.45-49. Podterob , A.P., 2008. Chemical composition of lichens and their medical applications. Pharmaceutical Chemistry Journal, 42(10), pp.582-588. https://bio.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Microbiology/Book%3A_Microbiology_(OpenStax)/05%3A_The_Eukaryotes_of_Microbiology/5.5%3A_Lichens https://www.studyandscore.com/studymaterial-detail/general-characters-of-lichens

17. Acknowledgement

18. Thank you