Antimicrobial screening of methanolic extracts obtained from fruit plants selected from the flora of Santa Catarina, Brazil

Abstract

Due to the increasing difficulty in combating current antimicrobial resistant microorganisms, the antimicrobial potential of some plants has aroused researchers interest for being a natural alternative and for the consecrated possibilities. The present study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial potential of wild fruit plants extracts by determining the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). The plants were selected for the indication of widespread use, and domestication in the region of “Vale do Itajaí, ” and their methanolic extracts were submitted to phytochemical analysis by thin layer chromatography using specific developers. The extract of the mature Marlierea tomentosa pulp presented excellent antimicrobial activity against S. aureus bacteria, and the extract  of Plinia edulis seeds showed good activity. The extracts of Eugenia brasiliensis seeds, M. tomentosa branches and Myrcianthes pungens seeds were considered moderately active. It is possible to conclude that there is an antimicrobial potential in some studied extracts, but complementary tests are necessary with different bacterial, to ensure and complement the presented results, and also isolate and identify the respective active principles.