Extraction and characterization of phytochemical compounds from araçazeiro (Psidium cattleianum) leaf: Putative antioxidant and antimicrobial properties

Abstract Underexplored species have phytochemical potential for pharmacological and nutraceutical applications. The fruits of such species, including araca (Psidium cattleianum Sabine), are rich in specialized metabolites with putative antioxidant and antimicrobial activity; therefore, the leaves of these species are also a potential source of bioactive compounds. In this study, aracazeiro leaves were extracted using an aqueous infusion (Al) and a pressurized liquid extraction system with water (PLE-W), ethanol (PLE-E), and 1:1 water:ethanol ratio combination (PLE-W:E). PLE-W:E yielded a greater diversity of extracted compounds. Nonetheless, all extracts showed inhibitory activity against pathogenic Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and antioxidant activity in the in vitro thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) assays with rat brain and yeast model systems. Thus, aracazeiro leaves can be exploited as a promising source of bioactive compounds.