THE OPTIMIZATION OF EXTRACTION ROUTINE OF PHOTOSYNTHETIC PIGMENTS AND ITS CONTENT IN LI-CHENS THALLI

Abstract

In this study the way of photosynthetic pigments extraction (chlorophylls and carotinoids) from lichens thalli of two species (Lobaria pulmonaria and Cladonia rangiferina) was optimized. Use of dimethylsulphoxide : acetone (2 : 1) mix, without heating of the pigment extract at 65 °C was recommended. Previous rinsing of thallus by acetone depends on a lichen species and habitat conditions (pollution, etc.). By means of the developed technique the chlorophylls and carotenoids content was defined in 21 different lichen species growing in a middle taiga subzone of the Komi Republic. There are folious and bushy lichens among these species. The lichens were divided into three groups according to photobionts: species with green algae, species with cyanobacteria, and tripartite species with green algal photobionts and cyanobacteria in cephalodia. Across species, significant differences on accumulation of photosynthetic pigments pool was revealed. Thallus chlorophyll concentration ranged 0.4–0.6 mg/g, carotenoids – 0.15–0.30 mg/g in the most of studied lichen species. Photosynthetic pigments, especially chlorophyll a, in the lichens thallus can serve as the important bioindicator on the changing environment conditions and criterion of ecological assessment of habitats. It is important for biomonitoring of the environment and use of lichens as medical materials because of their biochemical structure (pigments, polysaccharides, lichen acids, etc.).