Umbilicaria esculenta explained

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

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.

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

U. esculenta is considered a delicacy in China, Korea, and Japan where it is eaten in dishes, soups, or in salads.^[4]

It has been used as starvation food by Native Americans and early settlers.

Notes and 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