Extracts of guarana may possess strong antimicrobial and antioxidant properties

Samstag 26 Mai 2007

The guarana seed extracts were tested against three food-borne fungi: Aspergillus niger, Trichoderma viride and Penicillium cyclopium, and three health-damaging bacteria: Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas fluorescens and Bacillus cereus by the agar well diffusion and broth dilution assay. The alcoholic guarana seed extracts displayed stronger antimicrobial activity against all tested microorganisms than did water extracts.

Results presented here may suggest that seed extracts of guarana possess strong antimicrobial and antioxidant properties, and they can therefore be used as a natural additive in food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries.

Source: Food Chemistry (Elsevier)
Volume 104, Issue 3, 2007, Pages 1258-1268
"Antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of guarana seed extracts"
Authors: L. Majhenic, M. Skerget and Z Knez

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