Lichen Parmotrema perlatum derived constituents as natural metabolic interveners: mechanistic insights based on integration of bioactivities, molecular docking and fuzzy logic to develop a functional green tea beverage.

The rising prevalence of obesity necessitates natural metabolic interventions targeting key digestive enzymes. This study investigated functional properties of an extract from lichen Parmotrema perlatum, obtained via methanolic extraction (1:4 w/v, 4 °C), purified via liquid-liquid partitioning and vacuum drying (MLE-PP), with emphasis on lipase inhibition and secondary effects on α-amylase and α-glucosidase. MLE-PP showed dose-dependent, non-competitive lipase inhibition, with fluorescence assays confirming enzyme conformational changes upon binding. LC-HRMS profiling revealed phenolic acids, terpenoids, and other bioactives with antioxidant, hypolipidemic, and antidiabetic potential. Molecular docking further validated strong phytoconstituent binding at catalytic and allosteric sites. To integrate into daily diet, vacuum-dried MLE-PP was formulated into green tea infusions. Bioactivity retention was confirmed post-processing, while fuzzy logic-based sensory evaluation identified a 1:1 GT-MLE-PP blend as optimal, combining high acceptability with potent lipase inhibition. Overall, MLE-PP demonstrates potential as a bioactive ingredient for functional beverages aimed at metabolic health.