Antibacterial activity of Euterpe oieracea Mart. seeds against clinical isolates
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abstract
Introduction: The use of antibiotics – including the over- and misuse – in human and
veterinary practices selected for resistant pathogens led to their emergence and
dissemination along with the transmission of resistant bacteria [1]. Due to this problem,
there is a need to investigate new strategies to reverse this tendency in order to
achieve the appropriate and effective treatment against infections.
Aims: The present work aimed to evaluate the antibacterial activity of an aqueous
extract prepared from Euterpe Oleracea Mart. (açai) seeds (originated from Brazil [2]),
against clinical isolates from “Centro Hospitalar de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro-
Unidade de Vila Real”, with high resistance profiles to different antibiotics.
Material and Methods: The minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of the growth of
Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria were determined by the colorimetric assay
based on the use of p-iodonitrotetrazolium chloride (INT) dye, after application of the
microdilution method.
Results and discussion: The açaí aqueous extract showed antimicrobial activity
against all the tested Gram-positive bacteria. The lowest MICs (0.25 mg/ml) were
obtained against Methicillin Susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) and Methicillin Resistant S. aureus (MRSA), followed by the MIC 0.5 mg/ml correspondent to
Streptococcus agalactiae and Enterococcus faecalis.
Regarding the inhibition of the growth of Gram-negative bacteria, the extract was active
against Morganella morganii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii
with MICs 1 mg/ml e 2 mg/ml, respectively. The results were better for Gram-positive
bacteria in comparison with Gram-negative bacteria.
Conclusion: However, even at low concentration (2 mg/ml) the results are very
promising for Gram-negative bacteria with high resistance profiles and commonly
related with health care-associated infections, namely Pseudomonas aeruginosa and
Acinetobacter baumannii.
