BIOPHYSICAL AND ANTIBACTERIAL STUDIES OF ESSENTIAL OIL FROM LEAVES OF SCHINUS AREIRA

CUTRO, ANDREA; CASTELLI, MARÍA VICTORIA; LOPES SN; HOLLMANN AXEL; RODRIGUEZ, SERGIO A.

Salta

Congreso; LVI Reunión Anual de SAIB; 2019

SAIB

The genus Schinus (Anacardiaceae) is a native species from the north-west region of Argentina, which different traditional uses in medicine have been reported. However, only a few studies have been conducted screening the antimicrobial properties of Schinus areira essential oil (E.O.). Inthis context, S. areira E.O. isolated from leaves of plants located in Santiago del Estero was obtained by hydrodistillation; and its chemical composition and antibacterial action were determined. Bioautography assays have shown that S. areira E.O. presents antibacterial activity onStaphylococcus aureus but no effect was observed in Escherichia coli. The minimal inhibitory concentration and minimal bactericidal concentration were determined for S. aureus and the values obtained were 64 µg/mL and 256 µg/mL, respectively. In order to better describe the effect of S. areira E.O. on bacterial envelopes, changes of Zeta potential (ΔZ) and bacterial viability were determined at different E.O. concentrations. At concentrations higher than 200 µg/mL of E.O, a significant increase in ΔZ was noticed. This behavior was related to a significant decrease in the bacteria viability. Furthermore, significant ΔZ decrease of DMPC: DMPG(5:1) liposomes that mimic bacterial membranes, was observed after the addition of increasing E.O. concentrations. These results could indicate a direct and differential interaction of certain chemical components of S. areira E.O. with bacterial surface and membrane. Besides, further studies should be carried out. The fact that the E.O. exhibited a high antibacterial effect against S. aureus represents an important milestone for the future development of antimicrobial compounds.