Identification of lichen samples collected from Bilecik and determination of antimicribial, antioxidant and cytotoxic properties of the extracts obtained from these species

Due to the toxic effect of existing drugs and increasing antibiotic resistance, the discovery of natural and non-synthetic bioactive substances and the determination of their potential for use in drug synthesis have become very important today. In this context, secondary compounds that bioactive properties synthesized by lichens are of great interest. In the scope of this study, antimicrobial, antioxidant and anticancer activity of lichen extracts were determined by molecular identification of lichens collected from Bilecik province. Agar disc diffusion and microdilution methods were used to determine antimicrobial activity. The highest antimicrobial activity occurred with the lichen species identified as Pseudoevernia furfuracea, and the species most susceptible in used microorganisms has been identified as E.coli. DPPH removal activity has been tested to determine antioxidant capacity. As with antimicrobial activity Pseudoevernia furfuracea lichen species showed the highest antioxidant activity. For the purpose of determining anticancer activity (3,4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-il) -2-5- diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) method was used. The highest anticancer activity occurred with the lichen species Evernia prunastri. The results obtained within the scope of the thesis study show that lichen extracts have antimicrobial, antioxidant and anticancer activity. As a result, lichens have a high potential to be used in the synthesis of new compounds with natural and selective toxicity.