Dept. of Environmental Science, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar (A Central) University, Lucknow-226025

Lichen Rinodina sophodes, a commonly growing around both thermal power plants of Uttar Pradesh, India are validated by Fourier- Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy. FTIR analysis used to identify and determine spectral features of secondary metabolites in Rinodina sophodes growing around Panki and Feroze Gandhi Unchahar TPPs, to find specific spectroscopic biomarkers for rapid identification and discrimination. Identification of chemical nature of phytochemical compounds present in lichens will provide information on functional groups responsible for the particular properties. FTIR spectra showed structural peculiarities of metabolites along with variations in functional groups i.e. N-H stretching Amide-A, O-H stretching of hydroxyl groups and carboxylic acid, SO₃ asymmetric, C-O bonding due to polysaccharides and C-Br stretching (alkyl halides). However, secondary metabolites play an important role in chelation, therefore, functional group bands in IR region showed effect of pollutant on chemistry of functional groups in lichen species. The spectra of R. sophodes showed presence of metabolites which enhances the probability of detection of IR bands in 3500- 3300 cm^-1 (due to presence of more N-H and O-H groups), 3300-2500 cm^-1 (O-H stretching; carboxylic acid)), 1450-1400 cm^-1 (C=O symmetric stretching –COO^-), 1360-1290 cm^-1 (components of α- helix proteins), 1080-1010 cm^-1 (SO₃ asymmetric; C-O bonding due to polysaccharides)and 530-400 cm^-1 (Al-O stretching (AlO₈ Octahedral, isolated) were dominant spectral bands respectively. FTIR analysis provides spectroscopic evidence of the role of chemicals in metal absorption as the variation in the frequency is affected by bond dissociation and bond formation which plays important role in metal chelation.