Antibacterial compounds from shoot skins of moso bamboo (Phyllostachys pubescens)

Bamboo is intricately associated with human activity, and its usefulness is well known. For example, its roots and leaves have been used as medicinal products. Also, studies on the medicinal properties of bamboo leaves have shown antioxidant, anticancer, and antibiotic properties. In this study, we determined that the dichloromethane soluble of the methanol extract from the bamboo shoot skin (Phyllostachys pubescens) inhibited the growth of Staphylococcus aureus. The active constituents were isolated and identified as stigmasterol and dihydrobrassicasterol by NMR and mass spectrometry. These compounds inhibited the growth of S. aureus and Escherichia coli. Also, from the standpoint of structure–activity relationships, the activities of these phytosterols depend on their side chain structures. These findings indicate that the extracts of bamboo shoot skins as well as its active compounds in the skins are potentially useful as antibacterial materials.