Abstract

Melicope patulinervia (Merr. and Chun) Huang is the rare and endangered plant in the Hainan Province, China. In the purpose of exploring the value of its exploitation and utilization, this study was conceived to evaluate the antimicrobial, antioxidant activities and the active ingredients of this plant. Spectrophotometry was the basis for the determinations of total phenol and total flavonoids. Meanwhile, the antioxidant activities of the different parts, different solvents extracts of M. patulinervia were measured by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) methods. Seven plant pathogenic fungi species were used to assay for antimicrobial activity of the extracts of this plant. The results showed that 70% methanol extracts of the leaves had higher level of total flavonoids, with a content of 41.3194±0.071 mg·g^-1. But it was strange that the contents of total phenol of the extracts of the plant were significantly less than that of total flavonoids. The antioxidant activities of the different parts, different solvents extracts of M. patulinervia were all weak. The leaf extract showed antimicrobial activity against 4 of the plant of pathogenic fungi species, especially Oxytetracycline hydrochloride.

Key words: Melicope patulinervia (Merr. and Chun) Huang, active ingredients, antimicrobial activity, antioxidant activity.