The antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of extracts obtained from some moss species in Turkey
Abstract
Introduction: Pharmaceutical industry is forced to develop new pharmacologically active
molecules. Like other plants, mosses are considered to be potential source of new biologically
active compounds. Objective: The present study was designed to evaluate the antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of 8 moss species: Hypnum cupressiforme, Homalothecium
sericeum, Thuidium delicatulum, Homalothecium lutescens, Homalothecium nitens, Leucodon
sciuroides, Ctenidium molluscum, and Eurhynchium striatulum obtained from Turkey. Methods:
The antimicrobial activity of extracts was investigated against four Gram (+) and six Gram
(–) bacterial strains and three tested fungi. Total phenolic content (TPC), cupric reducing
antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and DPPH radical
scavenging activity assays were applied to determine the antioxidant activity. Results:
All moss extacts were found to be active against all the organisms except Homalothecium
nitens. Especially, H. sericeum and E. striatulum showed the best antioxidant activity. Conclusion:
The obtained results show that mosses may be used as possible natural antioxidant,
antimicrobial agents to control various human, animal and plant diseases.