CYTOTOXICITY AND ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF PLANTS FROM NEW-ZEALANDS SUB-ANTARCTIC ISLANDS

A total of 86 species of bryophytes, lichens and vascular plants were collected from New Zealand's subantarctic Campbell and Auckland Island s, including 18 subantarctic endemic species. Extracts of these specie s have been screened for antimicrobial activity and toxicity towards a P388 cell line. Of the main taxonomic groups collected, the proportio n of extracts with some biological activity was highest for liverworts (25/29), intermediate for flowering plants (17/26) and lowest for mos ses and hornworts (4/22). Extracts of six species showed repeatable, h igh biological activity warranting further investigation. The cytotoxi city of Ranunculus pinguis was due to the presence of ranunculin.