title: Phenolic compounds and antimicrobial activity of olive (Olea europaea L. Cv. Cobrançosa) leaves.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: CIMO/Escola Superior Agrária, Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Campus Sta Apolónia, Apt. 1172, 5301-855 Bragança, Portugal.
authors.forename: Ana Paula
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Pereira
authors.forename: Isabel C F R
authors.initials: IC
authors.lastname: Ferreira
authors.forename: Filipa
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Marcelino
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Valentão
authors.forename: Paula B
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Andrade
authors.forename: Rosa
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Seabra
authors.forename: Leticia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Estevinho
authors.forename: Albino
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bento
authors.forename: José Alberto
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Pereira
mesh_terms: 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*
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D010636:Phenols