Properties of Ginkgo biloba L.: Antioxidant Characterization, Antimicrobial Activities, and Genomic MicroRNA Based Marker Fingerprints

Abstract

The aim of this study was to characterize extracts from the leaves of <i>Ginkgo biloba</i> L. from selected Slovakian localities in terms of the content of bioactive constituents, antioxidants and their antimicrobial properties. The results indicated that the content of antioxidants was sample-specific, and this specificity was statistically significant. <i>Ginkgo biloba</i> L. from the locality of Košice had the best activity determined by the free radical scavenging activity (DPPH) (1.545 mg Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC)/g fresh matter (FM)) as well as the molybdenum-reducing antioxidant power (35.485 mg TEAC/g FM) methods. The highest content of total polyphenols (2.803 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/g FM) and flavonoids (4.649 μg quercetin equivalent (QE)/g FM) was also detected in this sample. All samples of <i>G. biloba</i> leaf extracts showed significant antimicrobial activity against one or more of the examined bacterial species, and <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> subsp. aureus CCM 2461 was found to be the most susceptible (minimal inhibition concentration MIC50 and MIC90 values of 64.2 and 72.2 µg/mL, respectively). Based on the results it was concluded that <i>Ginkgo biloba</i> L. extracts can be used as antimicrobial and antioxidant additives. Selected miRNA-based molecular markers were used to examine the environmental adaptability of <i>Ginkgo biloba</i> L. An almost-complete genotype clustering pattern based on locality was determined in the analysis that involved a species-specific gb-miR5261 marker. Morphologically specific exemplar, cv. Ohatsuki, was excluded.