Evaluation of antimicrobial activity of crude ethanol extract from the bark of "sucupira branca" (Pterodon emarginatus Vogel) - Fabaceae

Abstract

Pterodon emarginatus Vogel (Fabaceae) is a Cerrado tree popularly known as "sucupira branca", "faveiro", "fava de sucupira" and "sucupira lisa" and has been used in folk medicine as antirheumatic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic and anti-infective. The aim of this work was to perform the phytochemical screening of the powder and to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of crude ethanol extract from P. emarginatus barks against Gram-positive bacteria, Gram-negative bacteria and the fungus Candida albicans. The crude ethanol extract was obtained from desiccated and pulverized barks. Its minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined by using Steers inoculator. The phytochemical tests detected the presence of flavonoids, saponin heterosides, resins and traces of steroids and triterpenoids. Ethanol extract MICs were 0.18 mg mL-1 for the Gram-positive bacteria Rhodococcus equi ATCC 25923, Micrococcus luteus ATCC 9341 and Micrococcus roseus IPTSP/UFG, and for the Gram-negative bacteria Serratia marcescens ATCC 14756 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 9027; 0.37 mg mL-1 for Enterobacter cloacae FT 505 LEMC/EPM/UFG; and 0.74 mg mL-1 for the remaining tested bacteria and for the fungus C. albicans. This study opens perspectives for the use of P. emarginatus barks as an antimicrobial drug.