Antimicrobial potential of camu camu (Myrciaria dubia) against bacteria, yeasts, and parasitic protozoa: a review

Abstract

Some microorganisms are responsible for food spoilage and foodborne infections worldwide. These microorganisms are becoming increasingly resistant to degradation or inhibition due to exposure to antibiotics, antifungal, and antiparasitics, posing a growing threat to human health. The aim of this study was to describe the antimicrobial properties of compounds present in Myrciaria dubia (pulp, seed, peel, and leaves) against bacteria (Staphylococcus spp., Escherichia coli, Salmonella and others), yeasts (Candida albicans and Saccharomyces cerevisiae) and parasitic protozoa (Leishmania amazonensis and Plasmodium falciparum). Different papers published in the main databases (Scopus, ScienceDirect, PubMed, Wiley Online Library, as well as in university repositories) were reviewed. These results were analyzed and organized according to their inhibitory activity, attributable metabolic actions of this plant, mainly based on its phenolic compounds present (rhodomyrtone, isomyrtucommulone B, myrciarone B, trans-resveratrol, 2.4-dihydroxybenzoic acid, myricetin, syringic, ellagic acid and casuarictin), which can inhibit the synthesis or destabilize the microbial membrane, nucleic acids, cell walls in bacteria and mitochondrial dysfunction in protozoa