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Determination of polyphenols and in vitro antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of Calluna vulgaris (L.) Hull

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Abstract

Calluna vulgaris (L.) Hull belonging to Ericaceae family occurs mostly at sour habitats in subalpine regions in Europe. The species is cultivated in many countries, but it is known as medicinal plant because of polyphenols and aucubin as main compounds. In this work, the polyphenolic, flavonoid, and tannin content, as well as the antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of the aerial part, were evaluated. In phytochemical analyses, methanol extract showed the highest phenolic and flavonoid content, followed by ethanol, methanol/water, and aqueous extracts. In antimicrobial tests, chloroform, ethyl acetate, butanol, and water extracts inhibited the growth of S. aureus and MRSA, while butanol and water fractions were effective against E. coli, and water extract for E. coli ESBL and K. pneumoniae ESBL. Water extract showed the most inhibitory effect for the tested 2 g-positive and 3 g-negative strains including both bactericidal and bacteriostatic activity. Data analysed by Pearson coefficient correlation showed positive correlation between polyphenol and flavonoid content. The determined antioxidant capacity of the herb ranged from 0.145 to 0.296 mg/mL. The results highlight the significance of the plant as possible antioxidant source and as an antimicrobial agent for further studies.

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Funding

This work was supported by the Domus fellowship from Hungarian Scientific Academy for Erzsébet Varga (66II/31/2015/HTMT) and a grant from the NKFIH for Nóra Papp (Hungarian Scientific Research Fund, K 127944).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pharmacognosy and Phytotherapy, Faculty of Pharmacy, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Târgu Mureş, Gh. Marinescu nr. 38, 540139, Targu-Mures, Romania

    Erzsébet Varga & Erika Becsek

  2. Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Pécs, Rókus 2, Pecs, 7624, Hungary

    Sámuel Gergely Bartha, Fanni Mihalovits & Nóra Papp

  3. Department of Plant Biology, University of Pécs, Ifjúság 6, Pecs, 7624, Hungary

    Szilvia Stranczinger

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  1. Erzsébet Varga
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  2. Erika Becsek
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  3. Sámuel Gergely Bartha
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  4. Szilvia Stranczinger
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  5. Fanni Mihalovits
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  6. Nóra Papp
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Contributions

EV collected plant samples. EB performed the preparation of plant’s extracts. EV and EB participated in the phytochemical analyses and data interpretation. EB, SGB, and FM performed the antimicrobial study. EV and NP contributed to planning the study, analysis and interpretation of the results. NP and SS helped in the literature study and evaluation of the results. EV and NP participated in the drafting and revising the article. All authors read and agreed with the content of the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Erzsébet Varga.

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Varga, E., Becsek, E., Bartha, S.G. et al. Determination of polyphenols and in vitro antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of Calluna vulgaris (L.) Hull. BIOLOGIA FUTURA 72, 251–256 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42977-020-00059-9

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