Biofilm is a complex microbial community highly resistant to antimicrobials. The formation of biofilms in biotic and abiotic surfaces is associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality in hospitalized patients. New alternatives for controlling infections have been proposed focusing on the therapeutic properties of medicinal plants and their antimicrobial effects. In the present study the antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities of 8 methanolic plant extracts were evaluated against clinical isolated microorganisms. Preliminary screening by diffusion well assay showed the antimicrobial activity of Prosopis laevigata, Opuntia ficus-indica, and Gutierrezia microcephala. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) were determined ranging from 0.7 to >15 mg/mL. The specific biofilm formation index (SBF) was evaluated before and after the addition of plant extracts (MBC × 0.75). Opuntia ficus-indica caused the major reduction on SBF in dose-dependent manner. Cytotoxic activity of plant extracts was determined using brine shrimp lethality test (Artemia salina L.). Lethal Dose concentration (LD50 values) of the plant extracts was calculated. LD50 values for P. laevigata and G. microcephala were 141.6 and 323.3 µg/mL, respectively, while O. ficus-indica showed a slight lethality with 939.2 µg/mL. Phytochemical analyses reveal the presence of flavonoids, tannins, and coumarines.

No abstract

Oregano (Poliomintha longiflora) essential oil (Ooil) is a product of high commercial value and many applications, including chemotherapy. Aiming to achieve the best use of this resource, the present study focuses on the characterization of separated fractions of Ooil by fractional vacuum distillation at low pressure. Four fractions (F1–F4) and undistilled oil (Unoil) were separated from Ooil and analyzed for their chemical composition and biological activities, such as antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry shows differences in the composition among the fractions and Ooil. The amount of monoterpenes oxygenated (MO), sesquiterpenes hydrocarbon (SeH) and monoterpenes hydrocarbon (MH) varied between the fractions in ranges of 1.51–68.08, 3.31–25.12 and 1.91–97.75%, respectively. The major concentrations of MO and SeH were observed in F4 and Unoil. On the other hand, the highest concentrations of MH were found in F1 and F2, while the lowest were in F4 and Unoil. These results were correlated with the biological activity. Free-radical scavenging activity varied among fractions, with F4 and Unoil showing the highest activity. The antimicrobial test showed that F4 and Unoil had the highest activity in almost all cases. The correlation between the variables studied in the different fractions allows the definition of the particular properties for each one of them.

Brominated furanone and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) are naturally occurring polyphenolic compounds that can be derived from sources such as Delisea pulchra algae and green tea, respectively. These compounds may have potential health benefits and antimicrobial properties. Biofilm formation and bacterial motility are virulence factors that seem to be involved in the autoinducer 2 (AI-2)-mediated quorum sensing (QS) response of Campylobacter. In this study, the anti-QS activities of 2(5H)-furanone, EGCG, and a citric-based disinfectant were tested against Campylobacter jejuni. The minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) was determined by a microdilution method, and the AI-2 activity was measured by bioluminescence. For motility tests, subinhibitory concentrations of each compound were mixed with semisolid Muller Hinton agar. Biofilm formation was quantified in broth-containing microplates after staining with safranin. The MBC of tested compounds ranged from 0.3 to 310 μg/mL. Subinhibitory concentrations of all of the antimicrobial compounds significantly decreased (19 to 62 %) the bacterial motility and reduced biofilm formation. After treatment with EGCG, furanone, and the disinfectant, AI-2 activity was decreased by 60 to 99 % compared to control. In conclusion, 2(5H)-furanone, EGCG, and the disinfectant exert bactericidal effects against C. jejuni and disturb QS activity and reduce motility and biofilm formation. These compounds may be naturally occurring alternatives to control C. jejuni.

In this study, the chemical composition, antimicrobial, and antioxidant activities of orange essential oil (AN), its folded orange oils (5×, 10×, 20×) and d-limonene (LN) were investigated. The results observed in the chemical composition showed a decrease in the major component LN, in contrast to other minor components, which increased their concentration, such as decanal, linalool, and α-terpineol. The antimicrobial activity was determined for foodborne pathogens using the disk diffusion method followed by the minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration. Results showed that folded orange oils (5×, 10×, 20×) had better antimicrobial activity than AN and LN. The antioxidant activity was carried out by 2,2ʹ-azinobis-3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonate and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl methods; folded orange oil 20× presented significantly better results (p ≤ 0.05) than other oils studied. Using folded oils from AN could be a natural alternative in food processing as ingredients with antimicrobial and antioxidant effect.Perfil químico, actividad antimicrobiana y antioxidante del aceite esencial de naranja y sus aceites concentrados RESUMEN En este estudio, se investigó la composición química, actividad antimicrobiana y antioxidante del aceite esencial de naranja (AN), sus concentrados (5×, 10×, 20×) y d-limoneno (LN). Los resultados en la composición química mostraron una disminución del componente mayoritario d-limoneno, contrario a otros componentes minoritarios que aumentaron su concentración como es el decanal, linalol y α-terpinol. La actividad antimicrobiana fue determinada para bacterias de importancia en alimentos por el método de difusión en disco seguido de la concentración mínima inhibitoria (CMI) y concentración mínima bactericida (CMB). Los resultados mostraron que los aceites concentrados (5×, 10×, 20×) presentaron significativamente mayor actividad antimicrobiana que el AN y LN. La actividad antioxidante se realizó por los métodos de ABTS y DPPH obteniendo que la fracción 20×, presentó actividad antioxidante significativamente mayor (p ≤ 0,05) que los demás aceites estudiados. Los aceites concentrados del aceite esencial de naranja podrían ser una alternativa en la aplicación en alimentos como ingredientes con efecto antimicrobiano y antioxidante ARTICLE HISTORY