Potential uses of Hylocereus undatus (Haworth) Britton & Rose byproducts: antimicrobial activity and flavonoid content from aerial parts extracts

Abstract

To determine the possible uses of Hylocereus undatus aerial parts byproducts as anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial agents, the organic extracts were obtained and evaluated using the TPA-induced mice ear edema, and the tube-macro-dilution method respectively. The colorimetric quantification of total phenolic and flavonoid compounds as well as the identification by GC-MS of non-polar metabolites was performed. In the evaluation of anti-inflammatory activity, the methanolic extract showed 25.16 % of edema inhibition. In the anti-microbial assays, all extracts showed inhibition against all strains, mostly against C. albicans. On the other hand, all extracts showed the presence of polyphenols and flavonoids. Finally, the GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of β-sitosterol, and 4-methoxycynnamic acid and other non-polar molecules like fatty acid esters. The study demonstrated that H. undatus byproducts can be used as a source of antifungal agents.