Determination of Antioxidant Activity and Biochemical Content of Homalothecium philippeanum (Spruce) Schimp.

Living organisms produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) during the oxygen processing. ROS damage biomolecules and causes oxidative stress. Antioxidants prevent cellular damage against these harmful effects of ROS by neutralizing free radicals. Medicinal plants provide a rich source of antioxidants to reduce oxidative stress and play an important role in the treatment of diseases. Bioactive compounds, especially polyphenols and flavonoids, protect cells against oxidative damage by neutralizing free radicals. Bryophytes, especially mosses, are one of the plant groups that attract attention in this area. Mosses show biologically active properties with secondary metabolites such as terpenes and flavonoids they contain. In this study, extraction of Homalothecium philippeanum moss with ethanol, methanol, and n-hexane solvents was carried out and the biochemical content analysis of the extracts was investigated. 1,2-Benzenedicarboxylic acid, bis(2-methylpropyl) ester was detected as the major component in the ethanol and methanol extracts of the H. philippeanum. Biologically active alkanes such as Tetradecane and Hexadecane were found in the n-hexane extract. The antioxidant activity of moss ethanol extract was investigated using the DPPH method and the EC50 value was determined as 7.084 mg/ml.