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. 2024 May 3;29(9):2128.
doi: 10.3390/molecules29092128.

Phytochemical Characterization, Antioxidant, and Antimicrobial Activity of the Vegetative Buds from Romanian Spruce, Picea abies (L.) H. Karst

Roxana Colette Sandulovici  1 , Mona Luciana Gălăţanu  1 , Luiza Mădălina Cima  1 , Emilia Panus  2 , Elena Truţă  1 , Carmen Marinela Mihăilescu  1   3 , Iulian Sârbu  1 , Daniel Cord  1   4 , Mirela Claudia Rîmbu  1 , Ştefan Alexandru Anghelache  1 , Mariana Panţuroiu  1
Affiliations

Phytochemical Characterization, Antioxidant, and Antimicrobial Activity of the Vegetative Buds from Romanian Spruce, Picea abies (L.) H. Karst

Roxana Colette Sandulovici et al. Molecules. .

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the vegetative buds from Picea abies (spruce), naturally found in a central region of Romania, through a comprehensive analysis of the chemical composition to identify bioactive compounds responsible for pharmacological properties. Using HPLC/derivatization technique of GC-MS and quantitative spectrophotometric assays, the phenolic profile, and main components of an ethanolic extract from the buds were investigated. The essential oil was characterized by GC-MS. Moreover, the antioxidant activity with the DPPH method, and the antimicrobial activity were tested. Heavy metal detection was performed by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. The main components of the alcoholic extract were astragalin, quercetin, kaempferol, shikimic acid, and quinic acid. A total content of 25.32 ± 2.65 mg gallic acid equivalent per gram of dry plant (mg GAE/g DW) and of 10.54 ± 0.083 mg rutin equivalents/g of dry plant (mg RE/g DW) were found. The essential oil had D-limonene, α-cadinol, δ-cadinene, 13-epimanool, and δ-3-carene as predominant components. The spruce vegetative buds exhibited significant antioxidant activity (IC50 of 53 μg/mL) and antimicrobial effects against Staphylococcus aureus. Furthermore, concentrations of heavy metals Pb and Cd were below detection limits, suggesting that the material was free from potentially harmful contaminants. The results confirmed the potential of this indigenous species to be used as a source of compounds with pharmacological utilities.

Keywords: HPLC; Picea abies vegetative buds; antimicrobial activity; antioxidant capacity; essential oil; unpolluted area.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
HPLC chromatograms of the hydroalcoholic extract spruce buds (a) and the reference solution (b).
Figure 2
Figure 2
TIC Chromatogram resulting from the analysis of a derivatized sample of spruce (Picea abies) bud extracts: (1) xylitol, (2) shikimic acid, (3) pinitol, (4) quinic acid, (5) galactopyranose, (6) D-glucose, (7) D-glucose, and (8) gluconic acid.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Antimicrobial activity for reference strains with Kirby-Bauer diffusimetric method: (a) S. aureus ATCC 25923, (b) E. coli ATCC 25922; (c) C. albicans ATCC 10231.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Antimicrobial activity by the microdilution method for reference strains S. aureus ATCC 25923 (a)—alcoholic extract and (b)—essential oil.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Antimicrobial activity by the microdilution method for reference strains C. albicans ATCC 10231 (a)—alcoholic extract and (b)—essential oil.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Antimicrobial activity by the microdilution method for reference strains E. coli ATCC 25922 (a)—alcoholic extract and (b)—essential oil.
Figure 7
Figure 7
Antimicrobial activity of alcohol extract versus essential oil of Picea abies buds for reference strains: (a) S. aureus ATCC 25923; (b) C. albicans ATCC 10231.
Figure 8
Figure 8
The fresh buds of Picea abies (L.) H. Karst., spruce (Source: M. Panţuroiu).
Figure 9
Figure 9
Analysis of the Romanian spruce vegetative buds.
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