Volatiles of roots of wild-growing and cultivated Armoracia macrocarpa and their antimicrobial activity, in comparison to horseradish, A. rusticana

Abstract

The plants of the genus Armoracia P. Gaertn., B. Mey. & Scherb. (Brassicaceae) contain glucosinolates, which volatile hydrolysis products are known for their antimicrobial activity. In this work, the composition and antimicrobial activity of the root volatiles of wild-growing Armoracia macrocarpa (Waldst. & Kit.) Kit. ex Baumg., obtained by hydrodistillation, were analysed for the first time. These results were compared with those of widely used horseradish, A. rusticana P. Gaertn., B. Mey. & Scherb. Additionally, the possibility of the propagation of A. macrocarpa from the roots, and impact of its cultivation on the composition and antimicrobial activity of the root volatiles were investigated. The GC-FID and GC-MS analysis revealed that all A. macrocarpa root volatile fractions were dominated by berteroin (55.0-59.0%) and lesquerellin (34.1-36.4%), and were significantly different from horseradish root volatile fraction. In microdilution method, A. macrocarpa volatile fractions exhibited weak/no antibacterial activity, while their effect against standard strain (MICs = 4.8-9.3 µg/mL) and clinical isolates (MICs = 25-119 µg/mL) of Candida albicans was significant. Horseradish volatiles exhibited better antibacterial and slightly weaker anticandidal activity. Armoracia macrocarpa represents a new source of raw materials with potential use in pharmaceutical and food industries, as well as in cookery. Preliminary results indicated the possibility of its cultivation, which is required for its preservation and sustainable usage.