Enhanced accumulation of biologically active compounds in lichens with potential functional food applications

• Published in: Food chemistry 2024-11, Vol.458, p.140286, Article 140286
• Main Authors: Baczewska, I., Hawrylak-Nowak, B., Ozimek, E., Sęczyk, Ł., Dresler, S.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anti-Infective Agents - chemistry; Anti-Infective Agents - metabolism; Anti-Infective Agents - pharmacology; Antimicrobial activity; antimicrobial properties; Atranorin; Bacteria - drug effects; Bacteria - metabolism; bioavailability; Digestion; food additives; Food Additives - analysis; Food Additives - chemistry; Food Additives - metabolism; Food Additives - pharmacology; food chemistry; Food supplements; Functional Food - analysis; functional foods; Humans; In vitro digestion; intestines; lichens; Lichens - chemistry; Lichens - metabolism; metabolites; Models, Biological; Specialized metabolites; species; Usnic acid
• ISSN: 0308-8146; 1873-7072; 1873-7072
• DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2024.140286

Lichens have great potential as food, functional food additives or flavourings. The presence of specific substances with multiple biological activities is one of the characteristics of lichens. However, research on lichens as a food source or functional food additive is limited. The present study simulated, for the first time, the potential bioaccessibility of active compounds from 6 lichen species in simulated gastric and intestinal conditions. An in vitro digestion showed that the lichen substances had different bioaccessibility and stability during digestion. It was found that the application of some metabolic modulators significantly altered the accumulation of metabolites in most species. In addition, the study demonstrated the antimicrobial activity of the tested extracts as well as of 14 isolated lichen metabolites. These multi-directional studies demonstrate the potential of lichens in terms of their use as antimicrobial functional food additives. •H. physodes showed the highest content of lichen substances, reaching up to 15% DW•In vitro digestion revealed variable bioaccessibility and stability of compounds•Metabolic modulators may increase accumulation of lichen compounds•Lack of a common pattern of elicitor activity in different lichen species•Atranorin showed the highest antimicrobial activity