Efectos antimicrobianos de extractos de plantas chilenas de las familias Lauraceae y Atherospermataceae

Introduccion: las familias Lauraceae y Atherospermataceae son fuentes importantes de aceites esenciales, en los que se ha observado actividad frente a microorganismos. Este estudio se realizo en las especies chilenas: Cryptocarya alba Looser (Peumo), Persea lingue (Ruiz & Pav.) Nees (Lingue) de la familia Lauraceae y Laurelia sempervirens (Ruiz & Pav.) Tul. (laurel chileno) de la familia Atherospermataceae. De estas solo se conocen antecedentes morfologicos y usos populares, sin presentar estudios acabados sobre la composicion quimica ni la actividad biologica. Objetivo: evaluar la actividad de sus aceites esenciales frente a microorganismos y aportar antecedentes de su composicion quimica. Metodos: las muestras se recolectaron en la region del Bio-Bio. Se obtuvieron aceites esenciales por hidrodestilacion. La caracterizacion quimica se realizo por CG-MS. La actividad antimicrobiana se evaluo a traves de ensayos antifungicos por el metodo de dilucion en agar y difusion de vapor frente a Penicillium sp. y Fusarium oxysporum; los ensayos antibacterianos a traves del metodo del pocillo y papel frente a Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtillis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa y Staphyloccoccus aureus. Resultados: estos indican que los aceites esenciales de las 3 especies poseen un efecto selectivo frente a hongos y bacterias, lo cual sugiere que su naturaleza quimica diferente tendria un papel en el mecanismo de accion. Conclusiones: se sugiere la continuacion de estudios concentrando esfuerzos en el desarrollo de productos para el control de microorganismos que provocan perdidas economicas y en la salud humana.(AU) Introduction: the antimicrobial activity has been reported for the essential oils of some species in the families Lauraceae and Atherospermataceae. The present study was conducted with three Chilean species: Cryptocarya alba Looser (Peumo) and Persea lingue (Ruiz & Pav.) Nees (Lingue) from the family Lauraceae, and Laurelia sempervirens (Ruiz & Pav.) Tul. (Chilean laurel) from the family Atherospermataceae. The morphological aspects and the popular uses of these species are the only known aspects. Thorough studies of their chemical composition and biological activity are lacking. Objective: to evaluate the activity of the essential oils against microorganisms and to provide information on the chemical composition of these species. Methods: samples were collected in the Bio-Bio Region and essential oils were obtained by steam distillation. Chemical characterization was done using GC-MS. Antimicrobial activity was evaluated against Penicillium sp. and Fusarium oxysporum through antifungal agar dilution and vapor diffusion assays. Antibacterial tests against Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus, were carried out using agar disk and well diffusion assays. Results: the results for the essential oils from the three species indicated selective activity against fungi and bacteria, suggesting that the different chemical features of these oils may play a role in their mechanisms of action. Conclusions: further studies focusing efforts on developing products to control microorganisms that cause economic losses and affect human health.(AU)