Molecular and bioactive profiling of selected Eugenia species from Mauritius Island

Abstract

The <em>Eugenia</em> genus is comprised of about 1011 species which share similar features resulting in the complexity of its taxonomy and nomenclature. <em>E. crassipetala, E. kanakana, E. tinifolia</em> and two undescribed <em>Eugenia</em> <em>species</em> all medicinal and endemic to Mauritius Islands were characterized using their phytochemical, bioactive and molecular profile. Biological activity was assessed using the broth microdilution assay and the DPPH assay. Significant minimal inhibitory concentration values of <em>E. crassipetala</em> against <em>E. coli</em> (1.56 mg/mL), <em>E. kanakana</em> against <em>P. mirabilis</em> (0.55 mg/mL) and <em>E. spp</em> (small) against <em>S. aureus</em> (0.43 mg/mL) validates the antibacterial ability of these plant extracts and could be attributed to their high content of antioxidants (flavonoids and phenols). Genetic diversity among these five species was assessed by amplification of genomic DNA using 60 RAPD and 25 ISSR markers. Hierarchical cluster analysis validates the uniqueness of each <em>Eugenia</em> species with <em>E. crassipetala</em> and <em>E. tinifolia</em> forming a separate cluster. Comparative analysis of phytochemical composition and bioactivity correlate with the branching pattern of the species in the dendogram.