Estudio de las propiedades antibacterianas, antioxidantes y toxicidad de cuatro especies del género Huntleya (Orchidaceae) del Ecuador.

Abstract

The aim of this research was to evaluate the antibacterial, antioxidant and toxicity properties of four species of the genus Huntleya (Orchidaceae) of Ecuador, based on fluid extracts of leaves of each species obtained with a 1:1 solution of 96 ° ethanol and water for bioactivity tests. The amount of phenols and flavonoids present in the samples was quantified by UV-Visible spectrophotometry. The antibacterial capacity was analyzed by the Kirby-Bauer disc test against different bacterial strains. The antioxidant activity was determined using the DPPH and ABTS methods to analyze the free radical scavenging capacity. The toxicity level was evaluated against Artemia saline Nauplii to determine its average Lethal Concentration (LC50). The results of quantification by spectrophotometry showed that Huntleya species have phenols and flavonoids in low concentrations. Null antibacterial capacity was observed against Enterobacter cloacae, Enterobacter aerogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, and Escherichia coli. For the analysis of antioxidant activity, the species with the greatest capacity to inhibit free radicals were H. wallisii for DPPH and H. gustavi for ABTS. The toxicity evaluation using Artemia salina showed that H. burtii and H. gustavi have a moderately high degree of toxicity, while H. meleagris and H. wallisii are innocuous to organisms. In conclusion, it was determined that the species H. burtii and H. gustavi have antioxidant and toxicity properties, their anticancer activity should be further evaluated in cell cultures.