Biochemical porperties of some species belong to Dicranum Hedw. (Bryophyta)

In this study, it was aimed to determine the fatty acid compositions, lipid-soluble vitamins, sterols, flavonoids and phenolic acid contents and DPPH radical scavenging capacity of five Dicranum species (Dicranum majus, Dicranum fuscencens, Dicranum polysetum, Dicranum scoparium, Dicranum tauricum). Fatty acid compositons were determined by gas chromatography while lipid-soluble vitamins, sterols, flavonoids and phenolic acids were determined by HPLC. It was found that studied Dicranum species have low flavonoid and lipid-soluble vitamin content based on results of study. Whereas it was found that studied species have rich in phenolic acids. Especially it was found that studied species have high vanilic acid (11,96-44,83 μg/g) and gallic acid (52,96-63,1 μg/g) contents. Cinnamic acid contents of studied were found lowest. In this study it was found that radical scavenging capacity of studied species were determined 48,92%-86,89% in 250 μl. In additon, it was found that stigmasterol contents of studied species were between 35,3 and 46,05 μg/g. It was found that ergosterol and β-sitosterol contents of D. majus ve D. fuscescens were lowest. It was found that palmitic acid (C16:0) and behenic acid (C22:0) were major saturated fatty acids while oleic acid (C18:1 n9), linoelic acid (C18:2 n6) and α and ϒ-linolenic acid (C18:3 n3) were major unsaturated fatty acids based on results of fatty acid composition.