Abstract

The antibacterial and antifungal activities of seven different extract from the mosses Funaria hygrometrica Hedw. (Funariaceae), Hypnum cupressiforme Hedw. (Hypnaceae), H. imponens Hedw. (Hypnaceae), Polytrichum juniperinum Hedw. (Polytrichaceae) andTortella tortuosa (Hedw.) Limpr. (Pottiaceae) were tested against six bacterial and three fungal strains by agar diffusion and microdilution methods. It was determined that some of the extracts were active on both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. In addition, extract A of T. tortuosa possessed the highest antibacterial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MIC of 5.9 µg/ml). Among the five bryophytes used, P. juniperinum and T. tortuosa showed the best inhibitory effect against the bacterial and fungal species tested. The current study indicates that extracts of P. juniperinum and T. tortuosa may be exploited for antimicrobial drugs in the future.

Key words: Bryophyte, extracts, mosses, antimicrobial activity, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC).