Chemical composition, antibacterial and antimycoplasma activities of four Eugenia species growing in Brazil

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of four unexplored Eugenia species: Eugenia brevistyla, Eugenia handroana, Eugenia catharinae and Eugenia stigmatosa. Eight extracts and eighteen fractions were screened for their antibacterial activity against some selected bacteria including Mycoplasma. Phytochemical screening revealed that the plants were rich in terpenes and phenolic compounds. Antimicrobial evaluation revealed that E. handroana (FAEF-EH) and E. brevistyla (FAEF-EB) had the highest activity against Staphylococcus aureus with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 15.62 µg/ml Mycoplasma while FAEF-EH also presented the best activity with MIC of 62.5 µg/ml against Mycoplasma pneumonia M129. Some isolated compounds, betulinic acid and glutinol, also exhibited antibacterial property against some bacteria used in the study. All the four species studied presented promising antibacterial activity while the active principles are yet to be elucidated. Key words: Eugenia handroana, Eugenia brevistyla, Eugenia catharinae, Eugenia stigmatosa, antibacterial activity, antimycoplasma activity.