Myrcia hatschbachii: antifungal activity and structural elucidation of ellagic and 3-O-methyl ellagic acids

Abstract

Natural products, especially plants, have been investigated as sources of new substances with antimicrobial properties. In this context, the Myrcia genus is extensively researched for presenting such activities. This work aims to evaluate the antifungal, antibacterial, and antioxidant properties of extracts and fractions of stems of Myrcia hatschbachii, also to characterize two phenolic compounds. The antibacterial and antifungal activities were assessed by using the broth microdilution method. The ethyl acetate fraction (FGA) inhibited the growth of Candida albicans at a Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of 15.6 µg/mL, presented 40% of phenolic compounds in its composition, obtained the most significant results in antioxidant methods (DPPH, FRAP, ABTS), besides the identification of ellagic and 3-O-methyl ellagic acids by NMR. Considering the relevant antifungal activity revealed by the fraction, new studies can be carried out to encourage the continuous search for antifungal alternatives.

Graphical Abstract

Keywords:

• Antibacterial
• antimicrobial
• antioxidant
• Candida albicans
• ellagic acid
• Staphylococcus aureus

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was carried out with the support of the Coordination of Improvement of Higher Education Personnel - Brazil (CAPES) - Financing Code 001.