Abstract
Anacardium occidentale L., Anacardiaceae, is frequently used to treat infections. We evaluated the antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of extracts obtained from aerial parts of the plant in comparison with the extract prepared with the flowers. Ethanol extracts of the leaves (EEL), stem bark (EEB), and flowers (EEF) were prepared separately. The antimicrobial activity was evaluated by agar diffusion and broth dilution methods. The minimum bactericidal and fungicidal concentrations were determined against: Streptococcus mutans, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Staphylococcus aureus, MRSA, Enterococcus faecalis, Streptococcus pyogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus mirabilis, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Helicobacter pylori, Salmonella choleraesuis, Candida albicans, and Candida tropicalis. The antioxidant activity of the extracts was evaluated based on their scavenger capacity of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyle. The phytochemical profile was analyzed by colorimetric methods and by HPLC with UV detection. All extracts exhibited antioxidant and antimicrobial activity. Although, the EEF was the most effective since it inhibited the growth of all 14 microorganisms tested. Anacardic and galic acids were identified in all extracts as well phenolic compounds, triterpenes, flavones and xanthones. In conclusion, the extracts obtained from the aerial parts of A. occidentale, mainly the extract of flowers that was the most effective, are rich in bioactive metabolites that exert a potent antioxidant and antimicrobial effect. Taken together, the results indicate an important biotechnological potential of A. occidentale as a source of compounds with broad-spectrum antimicrobial and of antioxidant activity to be used in the food and cosmetics industry.
Highlights
Anacardium occidentale L. (Anacardiaceae), popularly known as cashew tree, is native from Brazil
The most frequent antimicrobial activity was described to the leaves and barks against bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sobrinus, Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis among others) and fungi (Candida albicans) [32]
The antimicrobial efficacy of EEF was demonstrated by the Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC), since the values found to the flowers were significantly higher than the values found to the leaves and bark extracts as shown in Table 2, since it was not possible to determine the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) the other extracts extracts of the leaves (EEL) and EEB to Klebsiella pneumonia; Lactobacillus acidophilus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus pyogenes
Summary
Anacardium occidentale L. (Anacardiaceae), popularly known as cashew tree, is native from Brazil. Studies have described the antimicrobial activity of different parts of A. occidentale, such as the fruits [3] [10]-[15], stem bark [16]-[25], leaves [16]-[29] and gum [30] [31], but there are no reports of similar activity in the flowers. The most frequent antimicrobial activity was described to the leaves and barks against bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sobrinus, Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis among others) and fungi (Candida albicans) [32]. Antioxidant, considering the activity in comparison to quercetin, has been described else whereby fruits, pseudofruis and roots [28] [33]-[38], but not for the flowers
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