Antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of mortiño (Vaccinium floribundum Kunth) against multi-resistant pathogenic bacteria
Keywords:
EXTRACTOS VEGETALES; FITOQUÍMICOS; PRODUCTOS CON ACCIÓN ANTIMICROBIANA; VACCINIUM., PLANT EXTRACTS; PHYTOCHEMICALS; PRODUCTS WITH ANTIMICROBIAL ACTION; VACCINIUM., EXTRATOS VEGETAIS; COMPOSTOS FITOQUÍMICOS; PRODUTOS COM AÇÃO ANTIMICROBIANA; VACCINIUM.Abstract
Introduction: bacterial resistance to antibiotics represents a critical global public health problem, prompting the search for new natural antimicrobial sources to combat multidrug-resistant bacteria.
Objective: to evaluate the antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of Vaccinium floribundum Kunth from Ecuador against Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Listeria monocytogenes.
Methods: ethanol extracts were obtained by maceration (leaves) and Soxhlet extraction (fruit), yielding 11,18 % and 41,16 %, respectively. Qualitative phytochemical screening identified secondary metabolites. Antioxidant capacity was assessed using the DPPH assay. Antimicrobial activity was determined by agar diffusion method against L. monocytogenes, S. aureus, B. cereus, and E. coli.
Results: leaves contained flavonoids and tannins; fruits contained flavonoids, tannins, phenols, and diterpenes. Antioxidant capacity was 86,42 % (leaf) and 27,93 % (fruit). Leaf extract inhibition zones were: L. monocytogenes (20,67 mm), S. aureus (17,83 mm), B. cereus (18,50 mm), and E. coli (13,67 mm). Fruit extract showed lower activity: L. monocytogenes (14,00 mm), S. aureus (11,67 mm), B. cereus (11,50 mm), and E. coli (9,83 mm). The highest inhibition percentage compared to vancomycin was for S. aureus: 89 % (leaf) and 38,4 % (fruit).
Conclusions: the leaf extract demonstrated superior antioxidant and antimicrobial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, representing a potential natural source for the development of therapeutic agents against multidrug-resistant bacteria.
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