ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF VOUACAPANES OF Pterodon emarginatus VOGEL (FABACAEAE)

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DOI:

https://doi.org/10.20873/vol13n120261

Abstract

Antimicrobial resistance represents one of the greatest global health challenges, highlighting the need for new therapeutic alternatives. Ethnomedicinal knowledge has played an important role in this process, and Pterodon emarginatus Vogel (sucupira) stands out for its traditional use in the treatment of infections and inflammatory conditions. In this context, this study investigated, for the first time, the antibacterial and antifungal activity of the oleoresin (OS) and the vouacapane diterpenes 6α,19β-diacetoxy-7β,14β-dihydroxyvouacapan (V1), 6α-acetoxy-7β,14β-dihydroxyvouacapan (V2), and 6α-acetoxy-7β-hydroxyvouacapan-17β-oate (V3) isolated from the fruits of this species. Activity was evaluated against eight Gram-positive strains, eleven Gram-negative strains, and four Candida species using the broth microdilution assay. OS and vouacapanes were more active against Gram-positive bacteria, with V2 showing the best antibacterial activity by inhibiting seven of the eight strains tested (MIC = 62.5–125 µg/mL). OS exhibited good activity against Micrococcus luteus ATCC 10240 (MIC = 31.25 µg/mL). Regarding Gram-negative bacteria, the effect was restricted to Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MIC = 125–1000 µg/mL). No inhibitory activity was observed against C. glabrata, C. kruzei, C. parapsilosis, and C. albicans. These findings reinforce the potential of P. emarginatus as a source of bioactive molecules, particularly against Gram-positive microorganisms, and corroborate its ethnomedicinal use.

 

Keywords: antimicrobial activity; furanoditerpenes; natural products; sucupira; bacterial resistance.

Published

2026-02-12 — Updated on 2026-02-13

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How to Cite

de Almeida Ribeiro Oliveira, L., Toubas Chaul, L., Hungria Pinto, E. M., Dinis Lopes da Silva, Z., Pereira Martins, M., Borges Marquez Barbosa, D., … Silveira, D. (2026). ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF VOUACAPANES OF Pterodon emarginatus VOGEL (FABACAEAE). DESAFIOS - Revista Interdisciplinar Da Universidade Federal Do Tocantins, 13(1), 9–22. https://doi.org/10.20873/vol13n120261 (Original work published February 12, 2026)