Antibacterial activity of Candelariella rhodax and Protoparmeliopsis muralis

The development of microbial resistance to antibiotics has led researchers to study the new material from the new resources. Lichens are considered as one of the sources of new biomaterials of natural origin. In this study, the antibacterial activity of two native lichens from Iran was evaluated. Acetonic extract of Candelariella rhodax and Protoparmeliopsis muralis were prepared using a Soxhlet extraction. The antibacterial activities of the extracts were investigated on some Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria using the Muller Hinton agar and Carbenicillin and Azithromycin as standard antibiotics by Kirby’s method. Minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration of the extracts was determined. Extract of Candelariella rhodax showed significant sensitivity on some Gram-positive bacteria such as Bacillus cereus, Bacillus subtilis and Micrococcus luteus. The results are published for the first time. Extract of P. muralis showed inhibitory effect on Gram-positive bacteria B. cereus, B. subtilis, M. luteus and .S aureus. The results of this research demonstrate the antibacterial effects of both native lichens. So acetonic extract the lichens can be used for further studies.