Antimicrobial activity and phenolic content of natural site and micropropagated Limonium avei (De Not.) Brullo & Erben plant extracts

Nat Prod Res. 2012;26(22):2132-6. doi: 10.1080/14786419.2011.628669. Epub 2011 Oct 21.

Abstract

This study reported the antimicrobial activity and phenolic content of natural site and micropropagated Limonium avei (De Not.) Brullo & Erben inflorescences. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of ethanolic extracts were determined according to the Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines. Individual phenolic acids and flavonoids were detected by a high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC-DAD) method. The samples showed a comparable antimicrobial activity, although the natural site extract possessed the lower MIC values. The best activity was detected against Gram-positive bacteria, such as Staphylococcus aureus including methicillin resistant strains (MIC and MBC values ranging from 7.81 to 62.50 µg mL(-1) and from 500 to 2000 µg mL(-1) respectively). In contrast, a low activity was found on Gram-negative bacteria and Candida albicans. The HPLC-DAD analysis revealed ten phenolic acids and four flavonoids with a major amount of m-coumaric acid, naringin and quercetin in the natural site extract.

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Infective Agents / chemistry*
  • Anti-Infective Agents / pharmacology*
  • Candida albicans / drug effects
  • Coumaric Acids / chemistry
  • Coumaric Acids / pharmacology
  • Flavanones / chemistry
  • Flavanones / pharmacology
  • Gram-Negative Bacteria / drug effects
  • Gram-Positive Bacteria / drug effects
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Phenols / chemistry*
  • Plant Extracts / chemistry*
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology*
  • Plumbaginaceae / chemistry*
  • Quercetin / chemistry
  • Quercetin / pharmacology
  • Staphylococcus aureus / drug effects

Substances

  • Anti-Infective Agents
  • Coumaric Acids
  • Flavanones
  • Phenols
  • Plant Extracts
  • 3-coumaric acid
  • Quercetin
  • naringin