Antimicrobial Potential and Chemical Characterization of Serbian Liverwort (Porella arboris-vitae)‎ : SEM and TEM Observations

Abstract EN

The chemical composition of Porella arboris-vitae extracts was determined by solid phase microextraction, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (SPME GC-MS), and 66 constituents were identified.

The dominant compounds in methanol extract of P.

arboris-vitae were β-caryophyllene (14.7%), α-gurjunene (10.9%), α-selinene (10.8%), β-elemene (5.6%), γ-muurolene (4.6%), and allo-aromadendrene (4.3%) and in ethanol extract, β-caryophyllene (11.8%), α-selinene (9.6%), α-gurjunene (9.4%), isopentyl alcohol (8.8%), 2-hexanol (3.7%), β-elemene (3.7%), allo-aromadendrene (3.7%), and γ-muurolene (3.3%) were the major components.

In ethyl acetate extract of P.

arboris-vitae, undecane (11.3%), β-caryophyllene (8.4%), dodecane (6.4%), α-gurjunene (6%), 2-methyldecane (5.1%), hemimellitene (4.9%), and D-limonene (3.9%) were major components.

The antimicrobial activity of different P.

arboris-vitae extracts was evaluated against selected food spoilage microorganisms using microbroth dilution method.

The Minimal Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) varied from 0.5 to 1.5 mg/mL and 1.25 to 2 mg/mL for yeast and bacterial strains, respectively.

Significant morphological and ultrastructural alterations due to the effect of methanolic and ethanolic P.

arboris-vitae extracts on S.

Enteritidis have also been observed by scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope, respectively.

The results provide the evidence of antimicrobial potential of P.

arboris-vitae extracts and suggest its potential as natural antimicrobial agents for food preservation.