ANÁLISE FITOQUÍMICA E BIOATIVIDADES DO EXTRATO E NANOPARTÍCULAS DE ORA-PRO-NÓBIS (Pereskia aculeata Miller)

Abstract

Pereskia aculeata Miller, known as ora-pro-nóbis (OPN), is a native plant of high medicinal and nutritional value due to the presence of bioactive compounds. Its leaves are widely used in food and traditional medicine, and they also exhibit antioxidant, antimicrobial, and allelopathic potential. The extraction of these compounds was carried out using both traditional methods, such as Soxhlet, and modern methods, such as ultrasound. The ethanolic extract of the plant revealed the presence of saponins, free steroids, pentacyclic triterpenes, alkaloids, flavones, flavonols, xanthones, and flavonoids, demonstrating significant antioxidant and antimicrobial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. In addition, in lettuce seed assays, the extract modulated plant growth depending on the concentration. The biotechnological potential of OPN was also explored in the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), in which its bioactive compounds acted as reducing and stabilizing agents. Characterization of the AgNPs revealed good colloidal stability and the presence of the C=O group, indicating the participation of biomolecules in stabilization. The synthesized nanoparticles showed high antioxidant and antimicrobial activity, especially against Gram-positive bacteria, as well as significant antibiofilm activity, making them promising agents for infection prevention. The combination of the phytochemical properties of P. aculeata highlights its versatility and potential for pharmacological, agroecological, and biomedical applications, contributing to the sustainable development of new biotechnological products.