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Evaluation of Mediterranean Tree Leaves as Valuable Biomass of Digestive Enzymes and Bacterial Inhibitors in the Concept of Circular Bioeconomy

Authors :
Atalanti Christou
Konstantina Stavrou
Christodoulos Michael
George Botsaris
Vlasios Goulas
Source :
Biomass, Vol 4, Iss 2, Pp 442-454 (2024)
Publication Year :
2024
Publisher :
MDPI AG, 2024.

Abstract

This study aspires to evaluate the antibacterial and inhibitory effects of carbohydrate digestive enzymes in tree leaves that are widely distributed in the Mediterranean region. Leaves were sequentially extracted with solvents of increasing polarity. The results demonstrated a wide range of phenolic (3.5–770.7 mg gallic acid equivalent g−1) and flavonoid (0.2–321.3 mg catechin equivalent g−1) contents in leaf extracts. The minimum inhibitory and bactericidal concentration of leaf extracts was determined for six bacteria using the broth microdilution method. The polar extracts of carob, lentisk, and white mulberry leaves exerted strong antibacterial potency against Gram-positive bacteria, while the susceptibility of Escherichia coli on relative apolar extracts of carob, fig, and olive leaves was also observed. In parallel, the inhibitory effects of leaf extracts on carbohydrate digestive enzymes were evaluated. A robust inhibition of α-glucosidase was found for carob and lentisk leaf extracts, followed by extracts produced by white mulberry and olive leaves. Carob and lentisk leaves also act as a-amylase inhibitors at high concentrations. Overall, this study provides valuable data for the nutraceutical value of the “forgotten” treasure of Mediterranean tree leaves and assesses these plants as potential sources of antibacterial and carbohydrate digestive enzyme inhibitory agents for drug discovery.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
26738783
Volume :
4
Issue :
2
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Biomass
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.31487828c568404cb5a14315963df06b
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3390/biomass4020022