earticle

영어

An edible wild perennial plant with extremely potent antimicrobial activity was found and identified as apiifolia Virgin's Bower (Clematis apiifolia DC) which is easily found around wet wildernesses. Fresh fruit extract of C. apiifolia exhibited minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) in the vicinity of 0.1% against various yeasts and of less than or equal to 0.4% for non-lactic acid bacteria. MICs against lactic acid bacteria were about 2.0%. The antimicrobial activity of C. apiifolia fruit was even more potent than that of garlic which has been known for its potent antimicrobial activity. The principal antimicrobial compound of fruit extract of C. apiifolia was isolated and identified by high performance liquid chromatography and gas chromatography as protoanemonin (a gamma lactone of 4-hydroxy-2,4-pentadienoic acid). The antimicrobial activity of C. apiifolia was stable at high temperatures, and the activity was maintained after heating at 121℃ for 10 min. The antimicrobial compound of C. apiifolia was supposed to inhibit microorganisms by reacting with sulfhydryl groups of cellular proteins.