title: Phytochemical profile and anticholinesterase and antimicrobial activities of supercritical versus conventional extracts of Satureja montana.
abstract: Winter savory Satureja montana is a medicinal herb used in traditional gastronomy for seasoning meats and salads. This study reports a comparison between conventional (hydrodistillation, HD, and Soxhlet extraction, SE) and alternative (supercritical fluid extraction, SFE) extraction methods to assess the best option to obtain bioactive compounds. Two different types of extracts were tested, the volatile (SFE-90 bar, second separator vs HD) and the nonvolatile fractions (SFE-250 bar, first and second separator vs SE). The inhibitory activity over acetyl- and butyrylcholinesterase by S. montana extracts was assessed as a potential indicator for the control of Alzheimer's disease. The supercritical nonvolatile fractions, which showed the highest content of (+)-catechin, chlorogenic, vanillic, and protocatechuic acids, also inhibited selectively and significantly butyrylcholinesterase, whereas the nonvolatile conventional extract did not affect this enzyme. Microbial susceptibility tests revealed the great potential of S. montana volatile supercritical fluid extract for the growth control and inactivation of Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus cereus, showing some activity against Botrytis spp. and Pyricularia oryzae. Although some studies were carried out on S. montana, the phytochemical analysis together with the biological properties, namely, the anticholinesterase and antimicrobial activities of the plant nonvolatile and volatile supercritical fluid extracts, are described herein for the first time.
authors.affiliation: Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, Centro de Química e Bioquímica/Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Ed. C8, Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal.
authors.forename: Filipa V M
authors.initials: FV
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: Alice
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Martins
authors.forename: Joana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Salta
authors.forename: Nuno R
authors.initials: NR
authors.lastname: Neng
authors.forename: José M F
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Nogueira
authors.forename: Delfina
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mira
authors.forename: Natália
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Gaspar
authors.forename: Jorge
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Justino
authors.forename: Clara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Grosso
authors.forename: José S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Urieta
authors.forename: António M S
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Palavra
authors.forename: Amélia P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Rauter
mesh_terms: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001407:Bacillus / Q000187:drug effects; D005591:Chemical Fractionation / Q000379:methods*; D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D025924:Chromatography, Supercritical Fluid / Q000379:methods*; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D009822:Oils, Volatile / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D008517:Phytotherapy; D035261:Plant Components, Aerial / Q000737:chemistry; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000737:chemistry; D031362:Satureja / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors; D009822:Oils, Volatile; D010936:Plant Extracts