Properties of Ginkgo biloba L.: Antioxidant Characterization, Antimicrobial Activities, and Genomic MicroRNA Based Marker Fingerprints.

Katarína Ražná,Zuzanna Sawinska,Nenad Vukovic,Miroslava Kačániová,Eva Ivanišová,Katarína Rovná,Przemysław Łukasz Kowalczewski,Michal Stričík,Lucia Hlavačková,Margarita Terentjeva,Jana Žiarovská

doi:10.3390/ijms21093087

Abstract

The aim of this study was to characterize extracts from the leaves of Ginkgo biloba L. from selected Slovakian localities in terms of the content of bioactive constituents, antioxidants and their antimicrobial properties. The results indicated that the content of antioxidants was sample-specific, and this specificity was statistically significant. Ginkgo biloba L. from the locality of Košice had the best activity determined by the free radical scavenging activity (DPPH) (1.545 mg Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC)/g fresh matter (FM)) as well as the molybdenum-reducing antioxidant power (35.485 mg TEAC/g FM) methods. The highest content of total polyphenols (2.803 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/g FM) and flavonoids (4.649 μg quercetin equivalent (QE)/g FM) was also detected in this sample. All samples of G. biloba leaf extracts showed significant antimicrobial activity against one or more of the examined bacterial species, and Staphylococcus aureus subsp. aureus CCM 2461 was found to be the most susceptible (minimal inhibition concentration MIC50 and MIC90 values of 64.2 and 72.2 µg/mL, respectively). Based on the results it was concluded that Ginkgo biloba L. extracts can be used as antimicrobial and antioxidant additives. Selected miRNA-based molecular markers were used to examine the environmental adaptability of Ginkgo biloba L. An almost-complete genotype clustering pattern based on locality was determined in the analysis that involved a species-specific gb-miR5261 marker. Morphologically specific exemplar, cv. Ohatsuki, was excluded.

Highlights

Many plants are well known for a diverse range of bioactive molecules, making them a rich source of different types of drugs
Based on the results it was concluded that Ginkgo biloba L. extracts can be used as antimicrobial and antioxidant additives
Our results showed that agro-ecological conditions can influence antioxidant activity

Summary

Introduction

Many plants are well known for a diverse range of bioactive molecules, making them a rich source of different types of drugs. The use of plant extracts and phytochemicals, well known for their antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, can be of a great importance in therapeutic treatments. A major part of the population of developing countries still uses traditional medicine based on the significant antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of plants [4,5]. About 80% of individuals from well-developed countries use traditional therapeutic treatments that are based on compounds obtained from medical plants. A number of studies in various countries around the world have determined antioxidant and antimicrobial effects of a wide range of plants, and proved their efficiency. Antioxidant and antimicrobial agents are a result of the secondary metabolism of plants [6] which, should be investigated in order to better understand their properties, safety and efficacy [7]

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Methods

Conclusion