The chemical profile and biological activity of different extracts of Sapindus mukorossi Gaertn. against Cutibacterium acnes

Abstract

This study evaluated the antibacterial activities of different extracts of Sapindus mukorossi Gaertn. (S. mukorossi) on Cutibacterium acnes (C. acnes). The extract solvent and procedure were screened, based on the yield of saponins and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). The results showed that the optimized product, fermentation and ethyl acetate extract by adding isoamyl alcohol from water extract of S. mukorossi (SWFEAI), had the highest yield of saponins (7.83 ± 0.26%) and the best antibacterial activity (MIC = 0.125 mg/mL) on C. acnes. The destroyed bacterial cell membrane and wall were observed by transmission electron microscopy, which then resulted in cell lysis and death. Furthermore, 20 compounds of SWFEAI were detected, among which oleanane-type triterpenoid saponins with molecular weights of 734, 750, 882, 924 and 966 were speculated to contribute to the antibacterial activities of SWFEAI. The results showed that SWFEAI could be a natural anti-acne agent.

Graphical Abstract

Keywords:

• Sapindus mukorossi Gaertn
• antibacterial fraction
• Cutibacterium acnes
• chemical profile

Disclosure statement

There is no conflict of interest of any authors in relation to the submission.

Additional information

Funding

The work described in this article was supported by the National First-class Discipline Program of Food Science and Technology (JUFSTR20180509).