Advances in the Characterization of Usnea barbata (L.) Weber ex F.H. Wigg from Călimani Mountains, Romania

Usnea barbata (L.) Weber ex F.H. Wigg (U. barbata) is a medicinal representative of the lichens from genus (Parmeliaceae, lichenized Ascomycetes), containing bioactive secondary metabolites. The aim this study comparative analysis between two separated parts thallus layers: medulla–cortex (mcUB) and central cord (ccUB) whole dried U. (dUB). These three samples were examined regarding color differences. morphology was through fluorescent microscopy (FM) scanning electron (SEM). mineral content measured using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) preliminarily established differences in metabolite content. Finally, extracts different solvents (ethanol acetone) obtained all studied samples, their total phenolic (TPC) free radical scavenging activity (antiradical activity, AA) evaluated by spectrophotometry. ICP-MS results showed that 23 elements analyzed, 18 minerals quantified mcUB, 13 dUB, only 12 ccUB. ccUB fraction recorded lowest content, intensity (chroma), luminosity (L*), TPC value, followed increasing order dUB mcUB. FT-IR spectra displayed peaks compared to mcUB also highest TPC, significantly correlated with AA. However, had antiradical ccUB, noticeable acetone extract. final correlation variable data indicates 99.31% variance associated minerals, phenolics, parameters related activity. complete our previous studies on autochthonous barbata. Moreover, being source metabolites, extracting them could increase process’s yield selectivity.