Abstract
In Mexico, mistletoes have several applications in traditional medicine due to the great variety of compounds with biological activities that have not been characterized to date. The goals of the present study are to analyze the composition of minerals and phytochemical compounds in Mexican mistletoes Phoradendron bollanum and Viscum album subs. austriacum qualitatively and quantitatively, identify the compounds using HPLC-MS, and assess the antimicrobial potential in phytopathogenic microorganism control. Mineral content was evaluated with X-ray fluorescence. Three types of extracts were prepared: ethanol, water, and aqueous 150 mM sodium chloride solution. Characterization was carried out using qualitative tests for phytochemical compound groups, analytical methods for proteins, reducing sugars, total phenol, flavonoids quantification, and HPLC-MS for compound identification. The antimicrobial activity of mistletoe’s liquid extracts was evaluated by microplate assay. K and Ca minerals were observed in both mistletoes. A qualitative test demonstrated alkaloids, carbohydrates, saponins, flavonoids, tannins, and quinones. Ethanolic extract showed flavonoids, 3845 ± 69 and 3067 ± 17.2 mg QE/g for Phoradendron bollanum and Viscum album subs. austriacum, respectively, while aqueous extracts showed a total phenol content of 65 ± 6.9 and 90 ± 1.19 mg GAE/g Phoradendron bollanum and Viscum album subs. austriacum, respectively. HPLC-MS identified largely hydroxycinnamic acids and methoxycinnamic acids. Clavibacter michiganenses was successfully inhibited by aqueous extract of both mistletoes.
Highlights
Mistletoes are hemiparasitic plants that acquire their nutrients by chelating them from the host
Mg, Zn, Fe, Cu, and very high concentrations of Ca were reported for African mistletoe [8]
The present study shows that mistletoes P. bollanum and V. album subsp. austriacum have a great variety of bioactive compounds that differ in part from each other
Summary
Mistletoes are hemiparasitic plants that acquire their nutrients by chelating them from the host These plants are used in traditional medicine to prepare several products such as teas, tinctures, nutritional aspects, and some ointments due to their observed therapeutic effects [1]. It is well known that only a portion of the plant and the proper dosage should be used to prepare tea, as uncontrolled use can cause toxicity and adverse effects on the consumer. Compounds such as lectins can cause specific symptoms of inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract [3]
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