<i>Eucryphia cordifolia</i> extracts: Phytochemical screening, antibacterial and antioxidant activities

<i>Eucryphia cordifolia</i> is a native and dominant species from the Temperate Forest in the southern region of Chile. It is a crucial melliferous species producing unifloral honey with outstanding antibacterial properties with great commercial value at international markets. A phytochemical screening was developed by colorimetric and gravimetric methods. Antioxidant activities were assessed by using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS), and ferric ion reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) method. The minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) was the method used to determine the antibacterial activity. The results revealed the highest antioxidant activity for the methanolic extracts of branches (IC₅₀ 35.7 µg/mL for DPPH, IC₅₀ 11.0 µg/mL for ABTS, and 4.6 mM FeSO₄·7H₂O/g in FRAP), attributed to its high content of total phenols (332.8 mg GAE/g). The quantification of the MBC led to values in the range of 0.78–12.5 mg/mL for <i>S. aureus</i> and <i>S. pyogenes</i>, and 6.25–50 mg/mL for <i>E. coli</i> and <i>P. aeruginosa</i>, respectively. The presented work provides valuable first <i>in vitro</i> evidence regarding the potential application of <i>E. cordifolia</i> extracts as antioxidants and antibacterial agents in the nutraceutical and phytopharmaceutical industry.