Chemical Composition and Antibacterial activity of Essential Oils from Fruits of Vismia baccifera and Vismia macrophylla Collected at different Locations in Venezuelan Andes

Background: Genus Vismia (Hipericaceae/Clusiaceae) is distributed mainly in tropical and subtropical areas of Central America and South America although some species have been reported in Africa as well. Species of this genus have been used in traditional medicine to alleviate different ailments such as skin infections, to treat urinary tract disorders, as antirrheumatic, antipyretic, among others. Previous investigations have revealed that species from Vismia genus are composed mainly of terpenes, anthrones, lignans, flavonoids, anthraquinones, steroids and xanthones. The purpose of the investigation was to determine the chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of essential oils from the fruits of V. baccifera and V. macrophylla collected in Venezuelan Andes.

Methods: Vimia species were collected at different locations in Mérida and Táchira state, Venezuela. Essential oils were obtained through Hidrodistilation and chemical compositon was performed by GC and GC/MS techniques. Antimicrobial analysis was carried out by disc diffusion assays.

Results: GC and GC/MS analysis showed that these species are mainly composed of sesquiterpenes being α-curcumene, β-curcumene, germacrene D, γ-bisabolene and β-caryophyllene among the major components. Antimicrobial activity was also performed with species under investigation. Results showed a broad spectrum of activity since both species were able to inhibit not only Gram- positive (Stpahylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis) and Gram-negative bacterial strains (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa) but yeast (Candida albicans and Candida krusei) as well.

Conclusions: According to the results observed in the investigation, Vismia species might be considered as an alternative to aid infectious diseases.