Determinación de los compuestos fenólicos (antocianinas) y evaluación de la actividad antimicrobiana del extracto de vaccinium floribundum (mortiño) proveniente de la provincia de Cotopaxi, en el tratamiento preventivo de infecciones de vías urinarias.

Abstract

According to Rengifo (2013), about 1 in 3 women will require antibiotic treatments for UTI (Urinary Tract Infections) before the age of 24, and 50% of women will suffer a UTI at some time. Therefore, as a preventive useful and natural alternative to urinary infections, Vaccinium floribundum (mortiño) of the Ericaceae Family was considered for its high content of anthocyanins, antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti inflammatory and anticancer properties. Because of this, the research was based on determining the amount of anthocyanins present in the fluid extract of Vaccinium floribundum and to evaluate the antimicrobial activity against microorganisms that cause urinary infections, establishing the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). So, the ethanolic extracts at 20 and 50% were prepared, with fruits collected in the Province of Cotopaxi, Canton Sigchos. In these extracts, the concentration of total phenols was quantified by the Folin-Ciocalteu method, obtaining 537,26 mg AG/100 mL of 20% extract and 621,04 mg AG/mL at 50%. In total anthocyanin quantification by differential pH, 11,6391 mg/L of extract at 20% and 43,63mg/L at 50% were obtained. Subsequently, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the percentage of inhibition in the extracts were evaluated in Escherichia coli with a MIC of 390,6 µg/mL for both extracts, 3,66% inhibition for the 20% extract and 11,77% for the 50% extract; in Staphylococcus saprophyticus the MIC was 390,63 μg/mL for both extracts and 88,42% inhibition for the 20% extract; 88,44% for the 50% extract; in Candida albicans the MIC was 390,63 μg/mL for both extracts; 1,63% inhibition for the 20% extract and 37,05% for the 50% extract. Finally, applying thin layer chromatography (TLC), the retention factors (Rf) were: 0,42 (cyanididine 3-O-glucoside), 0,62 (malvidin) and 0,86 (cyanidin). In conclusion, 20% and 50% ethanolic extracts of Vaccinium floribundum (mortiño) present antimicrobial activity.