Evaluación in vitro de las actividades antibacteriana y antidermatófica del extracto alcaloidal del látex de Brosimum utile (Kunth) Pittier.

Abstract

Brosimum utile (Kunth) Pittier is a species distributed mainly in the Amazon of Peru, Ecuador and Co- lombia. This species in Ecuador is commonly known as sande or sandi, and its latex (leche de sandi) has several traditional applications. The phytochemical characterization of Brosimum utile latex evi- dences the presence of terpenes, saponins, gums, fats, resins and alkaloids. The total alkaloid extract of this latex was obtained and evaluated in vitro to determine its activity against pathogenic bacteria and dermatophyte fungi. The antibacterial activity was determined by the method of Mistcher against Sta­ phylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae, showing a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 1600 µg/ml. The antifungal activity was checked by the disc diffusion method against two dermatophyte fungi, Trichophyton rubrum and Epidermophytonfioc­ cosum, MIC value was 2000 µg/mL and diameters ofthe inhibition halos obtained indicate that the eva- luated fungi are susceptible to the alkaloid extract. The antimicrobial activity ofBrosimum utile latex is remarkable, showing its potential for the future development of antibiotic and antifungal formulations.