Flavio Henrique Reginatto

TLC Fingerprint of Flavonoids and Saponins from Passiflora Species

Abstract Several Passiflora species, known in Brazil as maracujás, are used as flavour and as juice in food industries, whereas passionflower extract has an ancient tradition in folk medicine as a sedative. Due to few phytochemical and pharmacological studies, there are no quality criteria for these Passiflora species as raw material. In this work, we present unique fingerprints of fourteen samples of Passiflora species relating to the presence of flavonoids and saponins. These chemical characterisations can provide, for example, authentication of samples, detection of adulterations, and differentiation between closely related species.

Screening of Antibacterial Activity of South Brazilian Baccharis. Species

Abstract South Brazilian Baccharis. species were studied for antibacterial activities against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria using disk diffusion and broth dilution assays. The results showed that the n.-BuOH fraction (100 µg) from Baccharis usterii. Heering exhibited inhibitory activity against Staphylococcus aureus., Enterococcus faecalis., and Enterococcus faecium.. The n.-BuOH fraction of Baccharis spicata. (Lam.) Bailon (1000 µg) was effective against S. aureus., Escherichia coli., Enterococcus faecalis., and Enterococcus faecium.. The crude extract of Baccharis trimera. (Less) A. P. de Candolle (in doses of 1000 µ/disc) showed activity against S. aureus.. The minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) obtained from n.-BuOH fraction of B. spicata. were 50 mg/ml against S. aureus., E. coli., E. faecalis., and E. faecium.. From the crude extract of B. trimera., a MBC of 25 mg/ml was obtained against S. aureus.. The n.-BuOH fraction of B. usterii. showed a MBC of 25 mg/ml against S. aureus. and 50 mg/ml against E. faecalis. and E. faecium., while the crude extract of this plant showed a MBC of 12.5 mg/ml against S. aureus..