Abstract

AVELLO LORCA, Marcia; BITTNER BERNER, Magalis  and  BECERRA ALLENDE, José. Antibacterial effects of extracts of species of the genus Ugni that grow in Chile. Rev Cubana Plant Med [online]. 2013, vol.18, n.2, pp. 247-257. ISSN 1028-4796.

Introduction: Ugni molinae Turcz., Ugni candollei (Barneoud) O. Berg and Ugni selkirkii (Hook. & Arn.) Berg are shrubs growing in southern central Chile, including Juan Fernandez Islands. Given their morphological likeness, these species seem to be closely related. Therefore, they could share similar chemical compounds, such as phenolic and terpenic substances with well-known antimicrobial activity. These have been identified in Ugni molinae, the species with the broadest distribution in Chile. Objective: evaluate the chemical composition and antibacterial activity of extracts of Chilean species of the genus Ugni, and determine the possible differences between populations growing in geographically separate areas with dissimilar habitats, such as Continental Chile and Juan Fernandez Islands. Methods: the content and chemical composition of chemical compounds were determined by applying spectrophotometric methods to extracts obtained with increasing polarity solvents. Antibacterial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Enterobacter aerogenes was evaluated by inclusion in trypticase agar. Results: Ugni candollei and Ugni selkirkii exhibit the greatest concentration of total tannins, phenols and flavonoids. With respect to Ugni molinae, the populations on Juan Fernandez Islands showed the greatest concentration of total saponins and phenolic compounds. Although there is a trend in the antibacterial activity of methanolic extracts that is consistent with their chemical composition, no great differences are found between them. Conclusions: Ugni molinae not only shares some morphological features with other species of the genus growing in Chile Ugni candollei and Ugni selkirkii. These species also share some chemical characteristics. With respect to Ugni molinae populations, differences are found in the content of total saponins and phenolic compounds which are maybe due to the specific habitat where these species and populations grow. The active mixture of methanolic extracts of species from the genus Ugni and Ugni molinae populations, known as phytocomplex, concentrates the antimicrobial activities of the families of components described above, and no great differences are found between them.

Keywords : species of the genus Ugni; phenolic compounds; terpenic; antimicrobial activity.

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