XLII Annual Meeting of SBBq
th
st
Foz do Iguaçu, PR, Brazil, May 18 to 21 , 2013
Antimicrobial Action of Extracts of Eugenia uniflora L.
Silva-Júnior, C.A. 1; Souza, R.M. 1; Silva, L.C.N. 1; Aranda-Souza, M.A. 1,
Araújo, J. M. 2, Cavalcanti, M. S. 3; Correia, M.T.S. 1
1
Laboratory of Glycoproteins - Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of
Pernambuco, Avenue Professor Moraes Rêgo s/n, Cidade Universitária, Recife,
Pernambuco, Brazil
2
Laboratory of Genetics of Microorganisms - Department of Antibiotics, Federal
University of Pernambuco, Avenue Professor Moraes Rêgo s/n, Cidade
Universitária, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
3
Laboratory of Aquatic Fungi - Department of Mycology, Federal University of
Pernambuco, Avenue Professor Moraes Rêgo s/n, Cidade Universitária, Recife,
Pernambuco, Brazil
Introduction: The indiscriminate use of antimicrobials has determined the
emergence of multidrug-resistant strains of microorganisms with genetic ability to
transmit and acquire resistance to drugs used as therapeutic agents, boosting the
scientific community to do research to the discovery of new antimicrobial agents.
The objective of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial potential of the
hydroalcoholic extracts of leaf (HEL) and seed (HES) of E. uniflora. Material and
Methods: Samples of seeds and leaves were mixed with a solution of
ethanol:water (7:3) to obtain the hydroalcoholic extracts of leaves (HEL) and seed
(HES) to obtain the extracts at 10%. The antimicrobial testing was performed by
analysis of Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal
Concentration (MBC). For this study were used Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus
subtilis, Bacillus cereus, Micrococcus luteus, Enterococcus faecalis. The
thermostability and the effect of pH of the extracts were determined by disk
diffusion. The evaluation of Combined Effects of Extracts and erythromycin against
S. aureus was tested by the chequerboard method. To check for possible DNA
damage, bacteria were grown in MHB with or without extracts (2X MIC). Results
and Discussion: All extracts studied demonstrated inhibitory activity against the
microorganisms tested with the MIC ranging between 0.78 mg/mL and 12.5 mg/ml.
The extracts showed bactericidal action for some organisms, especially the HES.
The samples were stable at different temperatures and pHs, demonstrating
synergy when combined with erythromycin. The extracts exhibit action against S.
aureus, however, did not alter the integrity of their DNA. Conclusions: The HEL
and HES extracts of E. uniflora showed antibacterial activity against lineages
studied and showed stability at different temperatures and pHs, demonstrating
synergy when combined with erythromycin. The extracts studied exhibit action
against S. aureus, however, did not alter the integrity of their DNA.
Key words: Antimicrobials, Eugenia uniflora, plant extracts.
Aknowlegedments: UFPE, CAPES, CNPq and FACEPE