Antimicrobial, antiviral and cytotoxic activity of New Zealand lichens

A total of 69 species of lichens have been collected from Various locations around New Zealand. Screening of extracts of these species for antimicrobi al, antiviral and cytotoxic activity showed a high proportion with biologic al activity. Active extracts were generally from species known to contain p henolic compounds. Bioactivity-directed isolation work on Cladia retipora, Pseudocyphellaria glabra and P. homoeophylla led to the identification of u snic acid as the main antimicrobial, cytotoxic and antiviral component in t hese three species. (C) 1999 The British Lichen Society.