INVESTIGADORES
VOJNOV Adrian Alberto
congresos y reuniones científicas
Título:
PHYTOCHEMICALS AS NATURAL ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS
Autor/es:
SILVIA MORENO, CATALINA ROMANO, TAMARA SCHEYER, ADRIÁN VOJNOV.
Lugar:
Pinamar, Argentina
Reunión:
Congreso; SAIB; 2005
Resumen:
The development of drug resistance in bacteria and the accumulation of chemicals in the environment led to strict regulations that limit the use of antibiotics and other chemicals. Thus, the use of natural antimicrobial compounds seems to be important in the preservation of foods and also in the control of human diseases of microbial origin. Antimicrobial activity of chemically characterized rosemary extracts was evaluated by disk diffusion assay and by broth dilution technique. Our research showed a high radical scavenging activity of all rosemary extracts and a different efficacy as antimicrobial agent, linked to their particular polyphenol compositions. The effect of selected concentrations of the plant extract alone or in combination with other natural and synthetic compounds on microorganism growth, was evaluated. The antimicrobial action against common human pathogens and/or food microbes depends on microorganism type, because large differences in the minimal inhibitory concentrations values were observed. A high antimicrobial activity of organic rosemary extracts against Gram-positive bacteria (coccus and bacillus) and yeast was found. In addition, a moderate effect was observed against Gram-negative bacteria. By contrast, water extract showed a narrowly activity. The minimal inhibitory concentration value of the extracts is in a good correlation with the values obtained with the main polyphenols isolated from the extracts. Therefore, Argentinean rosemary extract may be a good candidate for pharmaceutical plant-based products as well as for functional foods.