Biochemical Characterization , Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activity of Aromatic Plants from Guerrero, Mexico

History: the world is observed an increase in consumption of tropical fruit, but like fruits, the plants can be inexhaustible sources of benefits for our bodies (Kuskoski, 2005). The deficiencies of drugs available today promoting the Discovery of new agents available in natural medicine. (Kuete, 2011). Objectives: To determine secondary metabolites in 9 herbs from Guerrero, Mexico, and evaluate the antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of these same related to found metabolites. Methods: Samples were collected in the costa grande and center of the State of Guerrero; they were dried, powdered, and stored. Qualitative techniques and chromatography were used for the determination of secondary metabolites and Spectrophotometric techniques for primary metabolites. Antioxidant activity was the DPPH methodology, determining the IC50 and VEAC; and diffusion in agar by the Kirby-Bauer method for antibacterial activity. Results: It was determined that all plants used in this study showed content of saponins, flavonoids, tannins and essential oils (terpenes) and compounds phenolic, etc. All showed antioxidant activity in the following decreasing order: papalo > green mole sheet > Peppermint > Pipiza > Melissa > Oregano > Basil > long-eared Oregano > Epazote. All plants showed some degree of antimicrobial activity, being the oregano and long-eared oregano which showed antimicrobial activity against the four strains of the bacteria. Conclusions: The nine plants had different types of primary and secondary metabolites which were related to their different biological activities, such as the antioxidant and antibacterial activity.