In the present investigation, methanol, chloroform and petrol ether extracts from the lichen Toninia candida (Weber) Th. Fr, Catillariaceae, were assayed for their antioxidant activity. The phenolic composition of the extracts was determined by HPLC-UV analysis. The predominant phenolic compound in all the extracts was depsidone, norstictic acid. All the tested extracts of T. candida contain, besides norstictic acid, atranorin, stictic, protocetraric and usnic acid, but in different amounts and relations. The lichen extracts showed comparable and strong antioxidant activity, exhibited higher DPPH and hydroxyl radical scavengings, chelating activity and inhibitory activity towards lipid peroxidation. This is the first report of chemical composition and antioxidant antimicrobial activity of the lichen Toninia candida.

The aim of this study was to investigate metabolites of the lichen Laurera benguelensis. A high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method has been developed for the characterization of xanthones and anthraquinones in extracts of this lichen. Lichexanthone, secalonic acid D, norlichexanthon, parietin, emodin, teloschistin and citreorosein were detected in the lichen samples, which were collected from two places in Thailand. Components of the lichen were identifed by relative retention time and spectral data. This is the frst time that a detailed phytochemical analysis of the lichen L. benguelensis was reported and this paper has chemotaxonomic signifcance because very little has been published on the secondary metabolites present in Laurera species. Some of the metabolites were detected for the frst time in the family Trypetheliaceae. The results of preliminary testing of benzene extract and its chloroform and methanol fractions showed that all samples showed a weak radical scavenging activity. The chloroform extract showed the highest antioxidant activity.