SVOA Microbiology

Rafael P. da Cruz¹, José W. Almeida-Bezerra^2*, Magaly L. Mota², Iandara M. Martins³, Luís Pereira-de-Morais², Cícera Natalia F. Leite Gondim², Ademar M. Filho², Ana Joyce de M. Bento², Nathallia C. da Silva², Mariana P. da Silva², Adrielle R. Costa², Hayane Mateus S. Gomes², Lucas dos S. Sa², Yedda Maria Lobo S. de Matos², Nadghia Figueiredo L. Sampaio⁴, Leandro M. Correia³, Wallison Felipe da S. Souza², Amanda Alany Lopes C. Grangeiro⁵, Maria Aparecida Barbosa F. Gonçalo², José Galberto M. da Costa², Fabiola Fernandes G. Rodrigues²

¹Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife – PE, Brazil.

²Regional University of Cariri, Crato – CE, Brazil.

³Federal University of Cariri – Crato – CE, Brazil.

⁴Estacio School of Medicine in Juazeiro do Norte – Juazeiro do Norte – CE, Brazil.

⁵Dr. Leao Sampaio University Center, Juazeiro do Norte – CE, Brazil.

*Corresponding Author: Prof. Dr. Jose Weverton Almeida-Bezerra, Department of Biological Chemistry, Regional University of Cariri, 63105-000, Crato, CE, Brazil.

https://doi.org/10.58624/SVOAMB.2025.06.022

Received: November 10, 2025

Published: November 26, 2025

Citation: da Cruz RP, Almeida-Bezerra JW, Mota ML, Martins IM, Pereira-de-Morais L, Gondim CNFL, Filho AM, Bento AJM, da Silva NC, da Silva MP, Costa AR, Gomes HMS, Sa LS, de Matos YMLS, Sampaio NFL, Correia LM, Souza WFS, Grangeiro AALC, Gonçalo MABF, da Costa JGM, Rodrigues FFG. Antibacterial Potential of the Essential Oil of Myrciaria pilosa Sobral & Couto (Myrtaceae) Against Gram-Negative Pathogenic Bacteria. SVOA Microbiology 2025, 6:6, 197-203. doi:10.58624/SVOAMB.2025.06.022

Abstract

Bacterial resistance to conventional antibiotics represents a serious threat to public health, encouraging research into plant-derived therapeutic alternatives. In this context, the present study evaluated the antibacterial activity of the essential oil extracted from fresh and dried leaves of Myrciaria pilosa against Gram-negative strains. The oil was obtained by hydrodistillation, and the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) was determined using the broth microdilution method following standardized protocols. The results demonstrated significant activity against most tested strains. Notably, Proteus vulgaris proved to be highly sensitive (MIC = 16 µg/mL). The oil obtained from dried leaves exhibited higher potency, reducing the MIC for Klebsiella pneumoniae (64 µg/mL) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (16 µg/mL). Thus, the essential oil of M. pilosa shows relevant antibacterial potential, particularly when obtained from dried leaves, and stands out as a promising candidate for future studies aiming at the development of drugs against infections caused by resistant Gram-negative bacteria.

Keywords: Terpenes, Cambuí, Caatinga, Microbial Resistance.