Biological capacities of seven Chilean ferns.

Sticherus squamulosus, Hymenophyllum dentatum, Blechnum microphyllum, Polypodium Feuillei, Blechnum chilense, Lophosoria quadripinnata, and Lissopimpla excelsa are native fern species found in southern Chile and are often used in traditional medicine. However, their bioactive properties have not been confirmed. In this study, ethanolic extracts of ferns exhibited significant antibacterial capacity against human pathogens. H. dentatum and S. squamulosus were selected for further analysis owing to their antimicrobial and antioxidant capacities. The entire H. dentatum extract exhibited fungistatic and fungicidal capacity on Botrytis cinerea and Penicillium digitatum, with minimum inhibitory concentration values of 1.56 mg/mL and 6.25 mg/mL and minimum fungicidal concentration values of 6.25 mg/mL and 12.5 mg/mL, respectively. The S. squamulosus extract presented the highest rutin content (222.5 µg/g fern). In addition, the ethanolic extract of H. dentatum inhibited 91% of DPPH radicals. Therefore, both types of ferns can be used in the food industry.

Floral Pollen Bioactive Properties and Their Synergy in Honeybee Pollen.

Honeybee pollen (HBP) is a mixture of floral pollen collected by honeybees near the hive. It is characterized by a composition rich in phenolic compounds, carotenoids and vitamins that act as free radicals scavengers, conferring antioxidant and antibacterial capacity to the matrix. These bioactive properties are related to the botanical origin of the honeybee pollen. Honeybee pollen samples were collected from different geographical locations in central Chile, and their total carotenoid content, polyphenols profile by HPLC/MS/MS, DPPH radical scavenging capacity, and antimicrobial capacity against S. pyogenes, E. coli, S. aureus, and P. auriginosa strains were evaluated. Our results showed a good carotenoids content and polyphenols composition, while antioxidant capacity presented values between 0-95 % for the scavenging effect related to the botanical origin of the samples. Inhibition diameter for the different strains presented less variability among the samples, Furthermore, binary mixtures representing the two most abundant species in each HBP were prepared to assess the synergy effect of the floral pollen (FP) present in the samples. Data shows an antagonist effect was observed when assessing the carotenoid content, and a synergy effect often presents for antimicrobial and antioxidant capacity for bee pollen samples. The bioactive capacities of the honeybee pollen and their synergy effect could apply to develop new functional ingredients for the food industry.

Biological activity of native Myrtaceae fruits from Chile as a potential functional food.

Myrtaceae fruits (Myrceugenia obtusa, Luma apiculata, and Luma chequen) were used as food and medicine by Chilean indigenous people. This study aimed to evaluate the bioactive properties of these berry-type fruits. The antioxidant capacity determined by the FRAP assay varied between 10.4 and 646.9 mmol Fe+2/g, while the antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella typhi was 0 - 33 mm and 0 - 7.33 mm, respectively. All the extracts were rich in polyphenols and showed low cytotoxicity. Overall, M. obtusa presented dissimilar results compared to those of L. apiculata and L. chequen, encouraging the use of these native fruits as food, nutraceutical, or pharmacological ingredients.