The present work describes the evaluation of the antimicrobial activity of a sesquiterpene fraction obtained from CH2Cl2 extract of Senecio desiderabilis Vellozo (Asteraceae), and of germacrene D isolated from it. The sesquiterpene fraction and the isolated substance were obtained by column chromatography and analysed by GC-MS. Substance identification was carried out by NMR. The antimicrobial activity was assayed by broth microdilution method, as preconized by NCCLS in the documents M27-A for yeasts and M7-A4 for bacteria. The sesquiterpene fraction showed moderated antimicrobial activity, and germacrene D did not inhibit the tested microorganisms.
Senecio desiderabilis; Asteraceae; antimicrobial activity; sesquiterpene; germacrene D