EXTRATO VEGETAL DE Capsicum Chinense: COMPOSIÇÃO QUÍMICA, AÇÃO ANTICOLINESTERASE, ANTILEISHIMANIOSE, ANITUTOMORAL, ANTIFÚNGICA E APLICAÇÃO EM FILMES BIODEGRADÁVEIS.

Abstract

This paper aims to investigate volatile constituents and antiacetylcholinesterase, antileishmanial and antiproliferative activities of hexane extracts from Capsicum chinense fruit (unripe bode pepper ‘HE-UB’ and ripe little beak pepper ‘HE-RB’). HE-UB and HE-RB were screened by the microplate assay method to determine their antiacetylcholinesterase activity. Both exhibited inhibitory potential, i. e., IC50 = 41.5 and 20.3 µg/mL, respectively. HE-UB (IC50 = 67.19 µg/mL) and HE-RB (IC50 = 38.16 µg/mL) exhibited antileishmanial activity against promastigote forms of Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis. In addition, HE-UB and HE-RB demonstrated cytotoxic activity against different human tumor cell lines with IC50 ranging from 325.40 to 425.0 µg/mL. Both GC-FID and GC-MS analyses revealed that the major component in both extracts was E-caryophyllene. In short, HE-RB was more satisfactory than HE-UB in all in vitro activities under evaluation. These findings may be used as initial data for further studies of Capsicum species. Peppers (Capsicum sp.) which belong to the Solanaceae family constitute an important segment in the vegetable sector, both in agriculture and in the food industry. This paper aims to investigate in vitro antifungal activity of hexane extracts from Capsicum chinense fruit (unripe bode pepper – ‘HE-UB’ – and ripe little beak pepper – ‘HE-RB’) against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, Rhizopus stolonifer and Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. Antifungal activity was evaluated by the disk diffusion method (DDM) at doses between 25 µL and 300 µL of both diluted extracts. Chemical analyses revealed that the major constituent in both extracts was E-caryophyllene. HE-RB inhibited 100% of S. sclerotiorum, R. stolonifer and C. gloeosporioides growth at doses of 200 µL, 100 µL and 300 µL, respectively. HE-UB also inhibited 100% of fungal growth at doses of 100 µL (S. sclerotiorum), 150 µL (C. gloeosporioides) and 200 µL (R. stolonifer). HE-RB and HE-UB were active against the fungi under study; thus, screening of medicinal plants provides another alternative to produce chemical fungicides that are relatively non-toxic and cost-effective. The great concern with the environment and public health regarding the large-scale use of antifungals and bacteria, has made the study of alternative products from natural sources has gained importance. This work aims to investigate the antifungal activity of the hexanic extract of Capsicum chinense fruits (green goat pepper – 'HE-UB' – and mature biquinho pepper – 'HE-RB') at different concentrations incorporated into arrowroot biofilm, applied in strawberry culture against the fungus Rhizopus stolonifer. The increase in shelf life of strawberries was visually evaluated according to the appearance of fungi. Analyzes found that the extract proves to be an excellent barrier against fungal growth and effective in preventing fruit dehydration.