Qualitative phytochemical analysis of three solvents extracts of some selected macrolichens from Seshachalam Biosphere Reserve, Andhra Pradesh

Abstract

Present study analyses the phytochemicals in some selected lichens of Seshachalam Biosphere
Reserve, Andhra Pradesh. The lichen species are identified as Heterodermia diademata (Taylor)
D.D. Awasthi, Parmotrema andinum (Müll. Arg.) Hale, P. grayanum (Hue) Hale, P. nilgherrense
(Nyl.) Hale, P. praesorediosum (Nyl.) Hale, P. reticulatum (Taylor) M. Choisy, P. tinctorum
(Despr. ex Nyl.) Hale, Parmelinella wallichiana (Taylor) Elix and Hale, Ramalina conduplicans
Vain. and Usnea baileyi (Stirt.) Zahlbr. A total of 30 crude extracts in three different solvents such
as 2-Propanol, Methanol and Water were prepared. The preliminary phytochemical screening
revealed the occurrence of tannins, saponins, glycosides, proteins and triterpenoides in all the
species while alkaloids, flavonoids, carbohydrates and steroids were found in some of the species.
Aqueous extracts of all the species did not contain alkaloids, flavonoids, carbohydrates and
steroids. Out of 10 species glycosides was present in 8 species, followed by presence of tannins,
alkaloids and triterpenoides in 6 species. Flavonoids and proteins were found in 5 species and
saponins and carbohydrates were found in 3 species only. Steroides were reported in P. reticulatum
and P. andinum. Alkaloids, carbohydrates, flavonoids, glycosides, proteins, steroids, tannins and
triterpenoides were reported in 2-propanol and methanolic extracts. Saponins were completely
lacking in 2-propanol extracts of all the species. This is the first report with detailed phytochemicals
analysis of lichens from Eastern Ghats of India.