Non-Polar Chemical Constituents of Atemoya and Evaluation of the Cytotoxic and Antimicrobial Activity

This study aimed to identify the chemical composition of essential oil from fruits(EOAF)and the hexanic crude extract from aerial parts(At-Hex)of atemoya(Annona cherimola x Annona squamosa),a hybrid belonging to the Annonaceae family.Cytotoxic and antimicrobial activity was also evaluated.OEAF was obtained by hydrodistillation using a Clevenger apparatus,and their composition was analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(GC-MS)analyses.Cytotoxicity was tested against human tumor cell lines HCT-116(colon carcinoma),SF-295(glioblastoma),OVCAR-8(ovarian carcinoma)and HL60(leukemia)using 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide(MTT)assay,while antimicrobial activity was conducted by bioauthography method against eleven microorganisms strains.Twenty-four compounds were identified in the EOAF and twenty-nine in At-Hex.The monoterpenes linalool(25.70%),α-pinene(10.38%),β-pinene(9.12%),transocimene(7.43%),and the sesquiterpene bicyclogermacrene(12.58%)were the major constituents of EOAF,whereas the sesquiterpene spathulenol(13.91%)was the main compound of At-Hex.At-Hex showed a high cytotoxicity against SF-295(glioblastoma).These findings show an important chemotaxonomic contribution for the Annonaceae family,mainly for the Annona genus.Atemoya proved to be a promising source of substances with potential cytotoxic activity.

Phytochemical Analysis and Antifungal Activity of Extracts from Leaves and Fruit Residues of Brazilian Savanna Plants Aiming Its Use as Safe Fungicides

The increasing demand for safe food without preservatives or pesticides residues has encouraged several studies on natural products with antifungal activity and low toxicity.In this study,ethanolic extracts from leaves and fruit residues(peel and seeds)of three Brazilian savanna species(Acrocomia aculeata,Campomanesia adamantium and Caryocar brasiliense)were evaluated against phytopathogenic fungi.Additionally,the most active extract was chemically characterized by ESI-MS and its oral acute toxicity was evaluated.Extracts from C.brasiliense(pequi)peel and leaves were active against Alternaria alternata,Alternaria solani and Venturia pirina with minimal inhibitory concentrations between 350 and 1000 lg/mL.When incorporated in solid media,these extracts extended the lag phase of A.alternata and A.solani and reduced the growth rate of A.solani.Pequi peel extract showed better antifungal activity and their ESI-MS analysis revealed the presence of substances widely reported as antifungal such as gallic acid,quinic acid,ellagic acid,glucogalin and corilagin.The oral acute toxicity was relatively low,being considered safe for use as a potential natural fungicide.