DISTRIBUCIÓN GEOGRÁFICA POTENCIAL DE LA ESPECIE CUNICULUS PACA (Guanta) EN EL OCCIDENTE DE ECUADOR

Piper puvinervulum C. DC. is a medicinal plant used by Amazon Indians in southern Ecuador, the leaves possess aromatic characteristics. The objective of this research is to extract and analyze the chemical properties and biological activity of the essential oil from the leaves. The study of the chemical composition based on analysis GC-MS and H-1 RMN data resulted in the identification of 44 compounds including the main components: beta-caryophyllene (1), isoeugenol methyl ether (2), asarona (3), and nerolidol (4). The antioxidant potential of the oils was assessed with the DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl), ABTS (2,2'-Azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt), Photochemiluminescence and bioautographic HPTLC-DPPH methods. The antimicrobial activity was evaluated by means of disc diffusion method while the antimicrobial effect was evaluated in two Gram+bacteria, two Gram-bacteria, and two yeasts. The essential oil was found effective against Candida tropicalis (MIC0,77 mg/ml) and Candida albicans (MIC0,33mg/ml) yeasts in a manner similar to the reference essential oil of Thymus vulgaris. The positive results in terms of antifungal activity suggest that the essential oil could be used for this purpose