Phenolic compounds and antimicrobial activity of olive (Olea europaea L. Cv. Cobrançosa) leaves.
We report the determination of phenolic compounds in olive leaves by reversed-phase HPLC/DAD, and the evaluation of their in vitro activity against several microorganisms that may be causal agents of human intestinal and respiratory tract infections, namely gram positive (Bacillus cereus, B. subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus), gram negative bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae) and fungi (Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans). Seven phenolic compounds were identified and quantified: caffeic acid, verbascoside, oleuropein, luteolin 7-O-glucoside, rutin, apigenin 7-O-glucoside and luteolin 4'-O-glucoside. At low concentrations olive leaves extracts showed an unusual combined antibacterial and antifungal action, which suggest their great potential as nutraceuticals, particularly as a source of phenolic compounds.
Pereira
Ana Paula
AP
CIMO/Escola Superior Agrária, Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Campus Sta Apolónia, Apt. 1172, 5301-855 Bragança, Portugal.
Ferreira
Isabel C F R
IC
Marcelino
Filipa
F
Valentão
Patricia
P
Andrade
Paula B
PB
Seabra
Rosa
R
Estevinho
Leticia
L
Bento
Albino
A
Pereira
José Alberto
JA
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D015394:Molecular Structure; D031658:Olea / Q000737:chemistry*; D010636:Phenols / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry*
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D010636:Phenols