Antimicrobial activity of neotropical wood and bark extracts

Abstract

A total of 203 wood and bark extracts obtained from a Neotropical lowland rainforest in French Guiana were tested for antimicrobial activity against a panel of four human pathogens. Inhibitory activity against Staphylococcus aureus was regularly observed. Significant growth inhibition against Enterococcus faecilis was found in species belonging to the plant genus Sloanea (Elaeocarpaceae) and various Sapotaceae. The plant genera Eschweilera, Gustavia and Couratari (Lecythidaceae) showed notable growth inhibitory activity against both Escherichia coli and Enterococcus faecilis. Fractionation of the active extracts showed that the activities against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria appear to be associated with different compounds. In some cases several replicates were sampled, showing that intraspecific activity levels may vary. The results of the screening experiments are compared to ethnomedicinal information available from northern South America and adjacent areas.