Antibacterial and Inhibition of Cholinesterase Activities of Volatile Organic Compounds from Schinus terebinthifolia Fruits

Resumo

In this study, the chemical profile and antimicrobial activity, along with acetyl- and butyryl-cholinesterase
(AChE and BuChE) inhibition properties, of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) derived from hexane
extract of Schinus terebinthifolia Raddi fruits are investigated. The ripe fruits of this plant were collected
in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil, dried, and extracted via maceration with hexane. The hexane extract and the
first silica gel fraction, eluted by column chromatography (CC), were subjected to gas chromatographymass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. Detailed examination of the VOCs composition of hexane extract
and derivatized compounds revealed the presence of fatty acids, predominantly palmitic acid (23.25%)
and linoleic acid (16.05%), along with monoterpenes and steroids. In the antibacterial assay against
Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus, the VOCs demonstrated significant
activity against P. aeruginosa and S. aureus, with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 50 µg mL^-1
for both pathogens. Notably, the biological assay presented an atypical result against Gram-negative
bacteria, which generally resist some antimicrobial agents. Furthermore, the cholinesterase inhibition
assay indicated moderate inhibitory activity for the hexane and methanol extracts.