Umbilicaria esculenta

Umbilicaria esculenta, the rock tripe, is a lichen of the genus Umbilicaria that grows on rocks.

Umbilicaria esculenta
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Fungi
Division: Ascomycota
Class: Lecanoromycetes
Order: Umbilicariales
Family: Umbilicariaceae
Genus: Umbilicaria
Species:
U. esculenta
Binomial name
Umbilicaria esculenta
(Miyoshi) Minks (1900)
Synonyms
  • Gyrophora esculenta Miyoshi (1893)

Morphology

Two different types of polysaccharides are known to be the structural components, both a heteroglycan from the fungus and a glucan from the alga.[1] U. esculenta lichens have a thallus attached to the substrate with a central holdfast.[2] The thallus is also heteromerous (parts that are different in quality and number) and fully corticated (has a cortex and bark). Many of the Umbilicaria species are characterized by a veined or rugose thalline surface.[2]

Ecology

Umbilicaria esculenta is a saxicolous lichen; it grows on rocks and is known widely as the "rock tripe". It is usually found on at high altitude in East Asia.[3]

Human uses

Lichens have a history in folk foods. U. esculenta is considered a delicacy where it is eaten in dishes, soups, or in salads.[4] It has been used as starvation food by Native Americans and early settlers.[4]

References
  1. Sone, Y., Isoda-Johmura, M., & Misaki, A. (1996). Isolation and chemical characterization of polysaccharides from Iwatake, Gyrophora esculenta Miyoshi. Bioscience, biotechnology, and biochemistry, 60(2), 213-215.
  2. Watson, R. R. (n.d.). Polyphenols in plants isolation, purification and extract preparation. Academic press, an imprint of Elsevier.
  3. Sun, Yanhong, et al. “The Polysaccharide Extracted from Umbilicaria Esculenta Inhibits Proliferation of Melanoma Cells through ROS-Activated Mitochondrial Apoptosis Pathway.” Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin, The Pharmaceutical Society of Japan, 1 Jan. 2018, https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/bpb/41/1/41_b17-00562/_html/-char/ja.
  4. Zhao, Y., Wang, M., & Xu, B. (2021). A comprehensive review on secondary metabolites and health-promoting effects of edible lichen. Journal of Functional Foods, 80, 104283


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