Abstract
Condensed tannins (CTs) are versatile polyphenolic compounds with significant industrial potential attributable to their antimicrobial, antioxidant, and adhesive properties. In this context, the study of species with a high tannin content and large-scale production capacity is crucial for expanding commercial applications. Among tannin-rich species, Anadenanthera macrocarpa (Benth.) stands out for its high yield and suitability for diverse industrial uses. However, understanding the influence of edaphoclimatic conditions on the chemical stability of CTs in this species is essential to ensure the consistency and quality of the extracted tannin. In this sense, this study analyzed CT extracts from A. macrocarpa that were collected from three distinct locations with varied soil and climate conditions. Five plants in consistent vegetative phenological stages were selected from each site for representative sampling. The extracts were characterized by using spectroscopic techniques, including NMR, HSQC, EPR, FTIR, and UV-vis, alongside thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Chemical characterizations indicate that samples from different locations exhibit a similar overall chemical profile within the sensitivity of the techniques employed, suggesting resilience to environmental variations and supporting their potential reliability for large-scale extraction. Additionally, antimicrobial assays were conducted against bacterial strains, Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), at different concentrations. The highest concentration tested (1000 μg/mL) proved to be the most effective, exhibiting an antimicrobial activity of 74.81 ± 1.42%, revealing significant inhibitory effects. The antioxidant activity was also evaluated, reinforcing their applicability in the industrial and biomedical fields. Our results indicate that the condensed tannins extracted from A. macrocarpa exhibit strong potential for large-scale production, in addition to possessing antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of interest for various biomedical applications.