Antimicrobial Activity of Endophytes from Brazilian Medicinal Plants

Abstract

The antimicrobial activity and the chem. compn. of the crude ext. and fractions of the peppertree, Schinus terebinthifolius leaves, were analyzed. The endophytes from the same tree were isolated and selected in order to ext. its active secondary metabolites. The peppertree crude methanolic ext. present higher activity against Candida albicans followed by Staphylococcus aureus, and less active against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The fractions dichloromethane: Et acetate and Et acetate were more active against the Gram pos. microorganism followed by the Gram neg. and with less action against the yeast tested. A difference between the antimicrobial activities was obsd. to the crude ext. of the plant in relation to their fractions, probably due to the existence of an interaction of compds. on the crude ext., what would enhance the activity against C. albicans. Therefore, when the ext. is fractionated these compds. are put apart, reducing their potential to act. Apparently compd. interactions that help crude ext. activity in relation to fractions against yeast do not show the same effect to the bacteria tested. This indicates a higher concn. of active compds. against these microorganisms or an elimination or decrease of compds. interfering, mainly the in the dichloromethane: Et acetate fraction. [on SciFinder(R)]