Anatolian Bryology, vol.8, pp.30-36, 2022 (Peer-Reviewed Journal)
Bryophytes are terrestrial plants and they contain many important medical aspects. In this study, six different bryophytes (Polytrichastrum formosum, Plagiomnium cuspidatum, Hypnum jutlandicum, Sphagnum palustre, Rhizomnium punctatum and Pellia epiphylla) were collected from Trabzon, Türkiye. The effect of the extract of these bryophytes on some human pathogenic microorganisms especially causing skin diseases (Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Candida albicans) was investigated. The highest antimicrobial activity was obtained by P. formosum extract against S. aureus, B. cereus, E. coli, and S. epidermidis. P. epiphylla was also effective towards S. aureus, B. cereus, and S. epidermidis. No activity was obtained for C. albicans. MIC values of P. formosum, P. cuspidatum, R. punctatum, and P. epiphylla plant extracts were determined by using S. aureus, B. cereus, and S. epidermidis microorganisms. Because the plant with the lowest MIC values was P. epiphylla, soap and cream formulations were prepared using the extract of this plant. Antimicrobial properties of suspended soap/cream samples were determined against B. cereus, S. aureus, and S. epidermidis microorganisms. It was observed that both soap and cream samples containing plant extract inhibited bacterial growth more than control samples of soap and cream.